If you're looking for a summer festival atmosphere, "Castle Dance.Ice Edition" in Vyborg near St. Petersburg on Saturday night is probably as close as you'll get.

I went to the pre-festival tour party last weekend for a sneak preview. Expecting an evening of elitniy boredom, I was pleasantly surprised by the festival campsite atmosphere. Guests in the VIP area arrived with drinks in plastic bags; and the main ticket office was operating out of a recycled marshrutka (minibus).

The organisers claim to have done it on purpose - the point of the tour was to bring a taste of summer festival buzz to fans who can't make it to the main event this weekend. Luckily the crowd was more interested in the music than in posing at a glitzy party. Although tickets cost a hefty 700 rubles (about 27 USD), the dance floor was pleasantly bling-free.

One of the highlights was London-based electronic artist SupaFly Inc. Although they're best known for the recent dance hits ‘Moving too fast' and ‘Let's get down,' it turns out that SupaFly Inc are also fantastic live performers. DJ MisterP played a perfect mix of classic dance and island tracks while One hyped the crowd with reggae vocals.

Since they first started touring in Russia two years ago, SupaFly Inc has appeared in venues from St Petersburg to Krasnoyarsk. For MisterP, there's an exciting frontier feel about clubbing in Russia: "Doors are opening everywhere. It's like an animal let out of a cage." Russia appeals to vocalist One because the crowds are so open to new sounds: "With some of the new house styles, I can tell they haven't heard them before. But they're lovin' it!"

Between artists, some inexplicable (though quite watcheable) girls in catsuits danced with giant balloons and groped the speakers. If nothing else, the juxtaposition of Russian girls and balls kept the press tent busy with unimaginative jokes all night.

Mister P thinks a uniquely Russian style of house music will emerge: "They are still developing their style and when they do they will give the West a run for its money. I do think they are influenced by the West but they only take up what they like."

If a uniquely Russian style is developing then artists like Polina, Viper, Tito and Bobina will lead the way. Catch them all at the 24 hour open-air Castle Dance 2007 on July 7 in Vyborg, near St. Petersburg. Tickets start at 400 rubles and are on sale at the usual places. Bring your own bottle. 

By Laura Citron

Special to The Moscow News