Secret Garden Party 2017: Five acts you shouldn't miss at the festival's final blowout

'We have been on a long journey but I concede to the infamous phrase that all good things must come to an end,' says head gardener

The multi-award-winning festival is held in a 220-acre landscape and famed for its love of smaller fringe venues (Samantha Milligan)

Instant gratification is defined as the desire to experience pleasure without delay or deferment and it is probably the phrase which best sums up Secret Garden Party. Countless others festivals might frantically try to portray themselves as spectacles of hedonism but none do it with the same vigour as SGP.

In its 15 year history, the annual independent arts and music festival has helped to redefine the festival circuit beyond recognition and garnered a cult following of devoted fans who return to the Cambridgeshire festival year in year out.

But sadly for them, their place of pilgrimage is closing its doors forever. The multi-award-winning festival, which is held in a 220-acre landscape and famed for its love of smaller fringe venues, is days away from its grand finale.

In the words of the head gardener himself: “We have been on a long journey but I concede to the infamous phrase that ‘All good things must come to an end’. This summer will host the last Secret Garden Party as we all know it.”

This begs the question of what to see and do at the last SGP. While there are a plethora of DJs, bands, installations, stages, games, tours and uncategorisable activities to choose from, here is a selection of just five things to do.

Toots and the Maytals

There is more than one headline act you must not miss out on but Toots and the Maytals could just be the zenith. The legendary reggae outfit, who are one of the most famous ska and rocksteady vocal groups worldwide, have penned some of the genre’s greatest hits and will no doubt imbue the Huntingdon festival with the same positive - it’s the only word which springs to mind – vibes they are known for.

While their old school fanbase of rastas and suedeheads will probably be few and far between, the easy breezy buoyant atmosphere the group is famed for is guaranteed.

Sub Focus Vs Metrik

Sub Focus and Metrik are just two of an array of top notch acts performing at the Hospitality vs Ram Records stage. In bringing together two of the biggest Drum and Bass labels, the festival is showing it wants to go out with a bang.

Nick Douwma, better known by his musical moniker of Sub Focus, has been throwing out records since the early noughties. After getting hold of his CD in 2003, Ram Records boss Andy C was so blown away he instantaneously signed every track. The big moment for Metrik, who is signed by Hospitality, came a few years later when “Your World” became a literal overnight DnB hit.

As much of a cliché as it will sound, The Heatwave has never disappointed in the dozens of times I’ve seen them. The London-based DJ duo, which is made up of Gabriel Heatwave and Benjamin D, has built up a reputation over the years for hosting the most consistently high-energy bashment parties to hit this grey island in a long, long while.

Founded in 2003, the seemingly indefatigable dancehall crew can be found on the radio, in the club, and in fields such as SGP.

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Palais de Boob

Palais de Boob is a literal and figurative celebration of the female form. Set in a curvaceous amphitheatre, the stage is a female-focused venue that explores the many layers of feminism. It will be home to a vast array of female identifying comedians, artists, performers and DJs over the weekend.

In their very own words: “Palais de Boob aims to show feminism for what it is: a celebration of equality and a rejection of oppression.”

The stage, which even has its very own spherical DJ booth, hopes to reframe and redefine preconceived reductive notions of feminism in a riotous festival setting. It’s in its maiden year so be sure to get there first.

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Waze & Odyssey

Waze & Odyssey typifies the Pagoda Stage in all its glory. For the unenlightened, the floating stage is arguably the jewel in SGP’s crown. In the four years I’ve been to the festival, it has been a mainstay.

This year Waze & Odyssey, also known as Serge Santiago and Firas Waez and famed for their ability to bring together house, techno, bass music and disco, are curating the stage. The duo was catapulted into mainstream recognition after their remix of R Kelly's "Bump n' Grind" made it to the top three spot.