Tomorrowland 2023, Adscendo: seven of us, in the rain

In early July, the Treasure Cases arrive at the main buyer of each order. The 2023 one opens like a pop-up book: the world of Adscendo unfolds, with the wristband tucked inside.

For supplies, we had read the Dreamville rules to the letter: a drinks limit per person and no spirits. So we had repacked everything into 50 cl bottles. Looking back, there's no need: everyone gets in, as long as there's no glass.

We leave in two cars, each from a different town in south-west France, and meet directly on site, as usual, around 4 pm. One of the cars, with only 3 people, acts as the convoy: the gazebo, the tents, the food and two big crates of drinks. We had also brought two hand trucks to carry everything to the campsite, and we needed them.

Given the forecast, we came ready for rain: a gazebo for a sheltered outdoor corner, and a big tent with a central space. Except the tent was no longer waterproof: it let water in on the very first night. Luckily, we had builder's tarps. We covered it, and the tent and our things stayed dry until the end.

In the evening, The Gathering, Dreamville's opening party, in rain jackets. Our trick for not getting lost in the crowd: an inflatable mascot, easy to spot above everyone's heads.

We go in fairly early, around 2 pm, because there are four first-timers to show around. We spend the afternoon touring the site, stage by stage, so they see everything on day one.

The Adscendo Mainstage, with its castle and flying machines, has the same effect as in 2022: jaw-dropping, but this time we watch it on the others' faces. In the evening, we're back at the Mainstage for the night show.

On Saturday, we discover what we had missed in 2022: the smaller stages. We pass the dragon of The Rose Garden, and make an unplanned stop at Elixir, a stage that was new to us, where we end up dancing in the sun.

Late in the afternoon, a ride on the Ferris wheel: the view over the whole festival is worth the queue.

Discovery of the year: the Moose Bar. In 2022 we skipped it because it wasn't “really” a stage. Yet to start the day, drink good beer and warm up, it's the place to be.

In the afternoon, the rain comes back. We spend it at Core, the stage in the trees, in ponchos, beer in hand. In the evening, the view over the pond, then the Mainstage closing at midnight.

Back at the campsite, a nasty surprise: the wind had picked up hard and the gazebo didn't survive. It snapped in two. We went home without it.

When packing up the camp, the verdict: we had brought too much. Lots of breakfasts, lots of tinned food for after the festival, because you get hungry with all the walking, and too much alcohol too, which warms up fast in the tent even when it isn't that hot. There was far too much left at the end. Then both cars head back to south-west France.