Honestly would go to Wide Awake if it was not happening on a Friday (my time off is getting tight this year). Brilliant line up, but God, starting at midday! on a working day!
Public spaces in London don’t belong only to those who oppose festivals — they belong to all of us. As festival-goers, we also have a right to enjoy music, community, and a bit of freedom in the city we live in. Yes, festivals bring some disruption — that’s the nature of a vibrant, living city. If someone’s looking for year-round peace and quiet, there are plenty of lovely villages that might be a better fit. And let’s not forget: festivals in the UK are seasonal. We only get a few summer months when the weather makes open-air events even possible. The rest of the year, parks like Brockwell are calm and open as usual.
And as for moving festivals outside central London — that sounds easy on paper, but the reality is different. There just aren’t many accessible, well-connected spaces that can host tens of thousands of people safely and comfortably.
The last local elections had very low turnout, can’t remember exact number, but I think it was in the high 20s to low 30s. Each ward only needs a few hundred votes to swing it. If there is a groundswell of opposition, which I think is happening, given the funding cuts on a number of public facilities, and obviously the LTNs ripped out, there will be a motivated enough contingent to vote Labour back into power. Maybe.
“sick of the whole ongoing saga” yes, but also glued to watching this slow motion car crash with your excellent coverage.
Ta Michael, like to think we’ve helped push this one mainstream. But perhaps time for a few different stories!
Honestly would go to Wide Awake if it was not happening on a Friday (my time off is getting tight this year). Brilliant line up, but God, starting at midday! on a working day!
Public spaces in London don’t belong only to those who oppose festivals — they belong to all of us. As festival-goers, we also have a right to enjoy music, community, and a bit of freedom in the city we live in. Yes, festivals bring some disruption — that’s the nature of a vibrant, living city. If someone’s looking for year-round peace and quiet, there are plenty of lovely villages that might be a better fit. And let’s not forget: festivals in the UK are seasonal. We only get a few summer months when the weather makes open-air events even possible. The rest of the year, parks like Brockwell are calm and open as usual.
And as for moving festivals outside central London — that sounds easy on paper, but the reality is different. There just aren’t many accessible, well-connected spaces that can host tens of thousands of people safely and comfortably.
The next local elections really cannot come any sooner for Tower Hamlets!! On the plus side, it generates lots of news for you ;)
Do you think any party has a chance here apart from Aspire?
The last local elections had very low turnout, can’t remember exact number, but I think it was in the high 20s to low 30s. Each ward only needs a few hundred votes to swing it. If there is a groundswell of opposition, which I think is happening, given the funding cuts on a number of public facilities, and obviously the LTNs ripped out, there will be a motivated enough contingent to vote Labour back into power. Maybe.
Wide Awake was absolutely brilliant. So many talented acts, well organised, in a joyous atmosphere. Long may it continue.