Out here in Michael’s woods, for the first time ever I feel like I’m living a real teenage life – dancing in bare feet and denim cut-offs, covered in mud and rainbow make-up, singing along, arms around a big bunch of strangers.

I’ve taken my shoes off to feel the earth, as instructed by Michael during his first performance just after lunch. Other bands played during the afternoon, and now Michael is back on stage again.

The party is in full swing and the woodland clearing is packed with people, dancing, swaying their arms. Almost everyone here has bare feet, and we stand on summer-warmed earth together, swigging from cider bottles and listening to the air crackle with live music. Well, okay – I’m swigging organic apple juice, but close enough.

On stage, Michael’s croaky voice demands to know if we’re having a good time.

‘YES!’ everyone shouts back. And I hear myself shout too.

‘Everything is connected,’ says Michael. ‘Do you feel it? We’re connected by love and music and freedom. This is our own little world and we don’t need anyone else.’

Everyone looks happy, except for Diane – who is walking through the crowd towards me, eyes concerned.

‘Have you had enough to eat, Liberty?’ she asks. ‘The chef just put out a load of veggie hot dogs. Are you helping yourself?’

‘I am. Thanks.’

There are hundreds of people in Michael’s woods now, all talking and dancing and drinking. Guests have been arriving all afternoon and now this place is mobbed. I’m surrounded by more leather jackets than I’ve ever seen before. What’s the collective noun for a group of people in leather jackets? A throng? A black?

‘Look at my husband, up there on stage,’ says Diane, shaking her head. ‘Man of the moment. He always has to be in the limelight.’

Cat Cannon weaves up onto the stage too and grabs a mic, throwing her arm around Michael’s shoulder. ‘This guy, is like the GREATEST guy in the world. The greatest front man EVER.’

Diane frowns. ‘Jesus. No wonder that woman was a heroin addict. She needs calming down.’

On stage, Michael laughs and takes the mic back. ‘We’re one big family today,’ he booms. ‘Love is all there is and love is who we are. Everyone here …’ he points to the crowd. ‘Do you feel it? Do you feel the love here?’

A collective ‘Wooo!’ passes through the crowd. I feel my fist raise in the air.

‘Woo!’

Cat stumbles down from the stage then and lights a cigarette. She notices me and stares for a moment, a frown creasing her pale skin. Then a man in a leather jacket leans to whisper something and she throws her head back and laughs, turning away.

Diane shakes her head. ‘This isn’t my scene, you know? Hedonism. All the dirt and noise. I’ll be relieved when everyone goes home.’