Decades of Dancefloor Devotion: Jim Angell & Matt Brown Talk Campo Sancho

Forget soulless mega-raves and corporate cash-ins, Campo Sancho is back, and it’s serving up the proper vibes for the heads who still know what’s what. Think Funktion-One walls tuned by Tony freakin’ Andrews, sets from selectors not celebs, and a crowd that knows how to move when the bassline slaps.

Born from the legendary Sancho Panza crews who tore up warehouses and ruled Notting Hill Carnival for two whole decades, Campo is pure underground spirit, wrapped up in a Hertfordshire field. Real talk: this lot were building dancefloors when your fave TikTok DJ was still in nappies.

This year’s lineup is stacked like a sweaty basement after last orders: genre-hopping mavericks Optimo? Check. Groove sorcerer Luke Una? Check. Rising legends like Tia Cousins, Aroop Roy, and Grace Sands are lighting fires all weekend long? You already know. Plus extended sets from residents Matt Brown & Jimmy K-Tel to take you deep into that good night.

And the new Upwoods area? Straight-up magic. Think forest raves, secret cocktails, and the kind of off-the-grid energy you can’t fake.

Campo Sancho isn’t chasing clout. It’s building moments. Sweaty, grinning, hands-in-the-air moments. If you’re about the groove, the community, the real sound system pressure, this is your ticket home.

🌳✨🔥 Tickets are flying. Grab yours now at campotickets.sanchopanza.org and get ready for the ultimate Country Cuddle.

But behind the Funktion-One stacks, woodland dancefloors, and endless smiles, there’s a serious story of passion, perseverance, and pure love for the underground.

We caught up with Sancho Panza founders Jim Angell and Matt Brown, the brains and beats behind Campo Sancho to dig into their journey from warehouse parties and Carnival domination to crafting one of the UK’s most beloved boutique festivals.

Here’s what went down…

Q: Sancho Panza, over the past 30 years you’ve created a huge heritage in the UK underground music and party scene. From your early 1990s warehouse parties and boat parties through numerous festivals in the UK and abroad and your 20-year fixture at Notting Hill Carnival…can you tell us a bit about that heritage and what it all means to you?

Sancho Panza: Twenty years at Notting Hill Carnival wasn’t just a stint; it was the crucible where the Sancho Panza sound and spirit were truly forged. Imagine the energy, the sheer volume of people connecting through music on the streets of London. For two decades, we were right there in the thick of it, bringing together our vision and a diverse community of people, many of whom continue to party with Sancho Panza today. It was an intense, vibrant, and deeply rewarding experience. It ingrained in us the power of music to unite, the importance of a quality sound system – our beloved Funktion-One, personally tuned by Tony Andrews himself – and the magic that happens when those two elements collide. That Carnival spirit, that commitment to our DIY ethos and bringing people together through honest, quality sound, is the very DNA of Campo Sancho.

Q: The UK festival scene seems to be at a bit of a crossroads. What’s your take on the current scene?

Sancho Panza: You’re spot on. The big festival model is facing some serious headwinds – rising costs squeezing budgets, headliner competition leading to predictable lineups, and a feeling that some of the larger events have lost that personal touch. It’s almost like they’ve become more about the spectacle than the soul of the music and creating that special connection on the dancefloor. But within that shift, there’s a real energy building around smaller, more community-focused events. People are clearly craving something more intimate, something with a bit more heart and authenticity.

Q: Speaking of smaller festivals, what’s your perspective on what’s happening with the best UK boutique festivals right now?

Sancho Panza: It’s an exciting time for boutique festivals. They’re stepping up to fill that void, offering curated experiences that prioritise quality over quantity, connection over crowds. You see festivals like Field Manouvres and Watching Trees, and of course Campo Sancho, carving out their own niches by focusing on creating immersive environments, fostering a sense of community, and delivering carefully selected music. It’s a return to the core values of what makes a festival truly special – those magical, shared moments on the dancefloor.

At Campo Sancho we really care about the detail….last year during the build you could feel elements of tension between all the departments like art, dressing, lights, projections and sound and then we all realised – we all just wanted to create the very best dance floor possible and suddenly everything slotted into place and we reached for that common good. 

Q: We’ve seen recent reports, like the BBC article on UK nightclub closures, highlighting the struggles in the nightlife sector. How does this make the thriving festival scene even more crucial?

Sancho Panza: The closure of nightclubs is a real loss to our cultural landscape. These spaces are vital for fostering underground scenes, nurturing new talent, and providing a consistent outlet for people to connect through music and dancing. It underscores why a vibrant festival scene is even more important. Festivals, especially those with a strong musical focus like Campo Sancho, become crucial hubs for that same energy and community spirit. They offer a concentrated burst of that vital connection that might be missing from the everyday urban environment. We need to protect and cultivate these spaces where people can truly let loose and experience the transformative power of music….. That said, the festival world is no picnic…. It’s economically challenging, but it’s super special too!

Q: So, what are the plans for Campo Sancho festival this year? What can attendees expect?

Sancho Panza: This year, we’re building on everything that makes Campo Sancho special and adding some exciting new elements. Expect that same laser focus on quality sound, thanks to our Funktion-One systems. Expect a carefully curated lineup that spans genres but always prioritises good music and an infectious groove. And expect that warm, welcoming community vibe that our attendees have come to know and love. We’re also thrilled to introduce “Upwoods,” a brand-new woodland area with its own distinct soundscapes, offering a different kind of immersive experience alongside the main stage energy.

Q: What makes Campo Sancho different from other festivals, and why do you think it resonates particularly well with an older house head community?

Sancho Panza: Campo Sancho isn’t about chasing trends or booking the biggest names just for the sake of it. It’s about creating an honest and authentic experience centred around the music and the dancefloor. We believe that older house heads, those who were there during the genre’s formative years, recognise and appreciate that. They’ve seen it all, and they value quality sound, a discerning music policy, and a genuine sense of community over hype. Campo Sancho offers a space where they can reconnect with the music they love in an environment that feels like coming home – a “Country Cuddle,” as we like to call it!

Q: Can you elaborate on the music policy at Campo Sancho?

Sancho Panza: Our music policy is driven by a love for good music, plain and simple. While our roots are firmly in house and disco, you’ll hear everything from nu-disco and electronica to soul, funk, and reggae across the weekend. We’re passionate about showcasing breaking underground talent alongside classic DJ stars. For instance, this year we have the legendary Optimo and Luke Una, alongside exciting debuts from Tia Cousins and Aroop Roy. We believe in creating a journey across the weekend, offering diverse sounds that keep the energy flowing and introduce our audience to both familiar favourites and exciting new discoveries.

Q: And speaking of classic stars, you’ve managed to secure Laurent Garnier in the past, who has praised the Campo Sancho dancefloor. How important is it for you to blend that heritage with showcasing new talent?

Sancho Panza: It’s absolutely vital. Artists like Laurent Garnier are pioneers, and their recognition of the Campo Sancho vibe is incredibly validating. He also played for us at Notting Hill Carnival over 10 years ago and that was another very special moment from the archives that sealed our relationship. It speaks to that core focus on sound and music quality that we’ve always championed. But the scene needs constant reinvigoration, and that’s where breaking talent comes in. By platforming rising stars alongside established legends, we’re not just celebrating the history of dance music; we’re actively contributing to its future. It creates a dynamic and exciting atmosphere for everyone.

Q: Looking ahead to 2025, can you give us a taste of the lineup and what attendees can look forward to?

Sancho Panza: We’re incredibly excited about the 2025 lineup! As you know, we have the legendary Optimo, the incredible selector Luke Una, the debut of the brilliant Grace Sands and Aroop Roy, and the adventurous sounds of Tia Cousins. Returning favourites include the soulful house and disco of Crazy P’s Chris Todd and Jim Baron, the energy of Tigerbalm, and the Faith House maestro Stuart Patterson. Plus, we’ve got a whole host of party starters like Lisa Loud, Pete Herbert, Dicky Trisco, Serge Santiago b2b with David Parr, and many more. And let’s not forget our own extended sets as Sancho Panza residents, Matt Brown & Jimmy K-Tel! The new Upwoods area will also feature curated lineups from Listen Here, Camp Bliss, and Sancho Panza, offering a different vibe. There’s truly something for everyone who loves good music and a good party.

Q: Finally, what is it about festivals and hosting parties that fuels your passion after all these years?

Sancho Panza: It boils down to that magic on the dancefloor. That feeling when the music, the sound, and the energy of the crowd all come together to create something truly special and transformative. We’ve experienced it ourselves for decades, both at our warehouse parties and at Notting Hill Carnival, and now at Campo Sancho. To be able to curate those moments for others, to create a space where people can escape “the everyday”, connect with each other, and lose themselves in the music – that’s what drives us. It’s about fostering community, celebrating music, and creating memories that last long after the last beat drops. That passion, that desire to create those unforgettable experiences, is what keeps us going.

🌳✨🔥 Tickets are flying. Grab yours now at campotickets.sanchopanza.org and get ready for the ultimate Country Cuddle.