South Facing Festival - a new festival on an old vintage site

As festivals become more diverse, more niche, and certainly more boutique (and less London-centric), it's always a delight when a new festival pops up and utilises an old vintage site.

South Facing Festival starts on 6th August and runs for most of the month, located in the decidedly-vintage musical venue the Crystal Palace Bowl. South Londoners rejoice!

The Crystal Palace Bowl has barely been used in the last twenty or so years and had fallen into a semi-abandoned state. A brilliant crowdfunder raised funds to restore it - and now both South Facing Festival and Wireless 2021 will be held here - just as lockdown restrictions ease and the sun comes back out to play. The Bowl used to be a classic staple of many legends of music - hosting many such as Pink Floyd, Andy Williams, Elton John and Bob Marley to name just a few.

The Crystal Palace Bowl doesn't just possess a deep musical legacy - in 2021 it will be celebrating:

• 170 years since the Great Exhibition where the world's loudest speaker debuted + opened the event by playing the national anthem

• 110 year since the Pageant of London, UK's largest event to take place in that century

• 60 years since the amphitheatre stage was built

• 50 years since it began hosting rock/pop legends - Pink Floyd being the first performance

 Back to South Facing Festival, and the 2021 lineup is deeply diverse and eclectic! Ranging from established indie-rockers Supergrass to the finer, cultural delight of the English National Opera. Alongside headline shows from Dizzee Rascal & The Outlook Orchestra, Sleaford Mods, Supergrass, The Streets, Max Richter and the English National Opera (ENO) there'll also be a range of free entertainment on offer. On week days , the platform overlooking the lake will see a variety of free and affordable entertainment for all ages.

All set to be a fantastic addition to the festival calendar! By jove, we've missed festivals!

Line-up

Confirmed so far

Friday 6th August: Masego, Special Guest (TBA), Nubiyan Twist, Poppy Ajudha, Jaz Karis, Ego Ella May
Saturday 7th August: Sleaford Mods, Baxter Dury, Fat White Family, The Orielles, Jane Weaver, Katy J Pearson
Sunday 8th August: Corinne Bailey Rae, Cymande, Soul II Soul, TRC presents The New Regency Orchestra, Dennis Bovell, Vanessa Freeman, and Norman Jay.
Saturday 14th August: Dizzee Rascal & The Outlook Orchestra
Sunday 15th August: Kruder & Dorfmeister (Live Audio Visual Show), The Comet Is Coming, KOKOROKO, IKOQWE, Yazmin Lacey, Gilles Peterson, and WWFM DJ'S
Friday 20th August: Supergrass
Saturday 21st August: The Streets
Friday 27th August: English National Opera (Performing Tosca)
Saturday 28th August: Max Richter
Sunday 29th August: English National Opera (Performing Tosca)

More concerts and acts are still to be announced.

For the line-up details and day splits see here.

Tickets

buy tickets now >

Prices start from £35.

More info

You can discuss the festival on eFestival forums here:

You can follow the Crystal Palace Bowl here

You can follow all South Facing Festival updates here:

 

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