Take Five: truly excellent music festivals in London this summer

Prefer a one-dayer to camping? We’ve got you covered with these five fests hitting the capital this summer

Written by Time Out. Paid for by FREE NOW.Thursday 23 June 2022

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There’s nothing quite like a London day festival. Waking up to the knowledge that perfect summer vibes are just a short journey away, before heading into a swarm of excited festival-goers, watching your favourite artists, and topping it off with a box of cheesy chips. The best part? No tent to pitch, no forgetting to pack your wellies, and the sweet, sweet bliss of knowing you’re only in Peckham, a mere cab’s ride away from your own bed that evening.

Whether you’re there for dancing, dining or disco, we’ve picked five of the best day fezzies happening in the Big Smoke this summer so you don’t have to.

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Photograph: Amy Heycock

1. All Points East

From east London’s Victoria Park comes one of the best indie and electronic festivals the city has to offer – and this years’ line-up is looking even better than the last. Taking place across two weekends in the second half of August, All Points East is set to be a scorcher. The only problem will be choosing which day, as every one of the headliners is great. Rock out to the Gorillaz and the Chemical Brothers, chill to James Blake and Michael Kiwanuka, or end the night dancing to Disclosure or Peggy Gou. The choice is yours. Or solve all of your problems and get a multi-day bundle.

Day tickets from £68.

Time Out tip:

Look out for Koffee’s set on Saturday August 27, which is sure to be a banger, if her eclectic debut album from March this year is anything to go by.

2. Naked City

Step into jazz, funk, soul, afro, dub and jungle with this years’ Naked City, held on September 10 at Beckenham Place Park. And the line-up is looking ace – the day festival will feature Kojey Radical, Joy Orbison, Children of Zeus and more. The organisers also promise a whole host of specially selected street food vendors, as well as a kids area with immersive theatre, plays, and face painting. What more could you want?

Tickets start at £30.

Time Out tip:

Don’t miss Saudi Arabia-born Alewya, who confidently hit her stride last year after featuring on Little Simz’ track ‘Where’s My Lighter’ and playing an eclectic set at 2021’s All Points East.

Photograph: Luke Dyson

3. Wireless

Wireless’ line-up this year is guaranteed to, as the young ones say, slap. Its first instalment graced Crystal Palace with the likes of J Cole and Tyler, the Creator. And with star-studded headliners Cardi B, SZA, and Nicki Minaj, it’s hard to believe the next weekend is taking place on July 8-10 in Finsbury Park in north London.

Day tickets start at £95.

Time Out tip:

For something soulful, check out H.E.R. on Saturday 9 July, who is known to be captivating live.

4. Body Movements

The highly anticipated queer day festival Body Movements comes to Hackney Wick on July 30, with some of the biggest names in the business. Clubbing collectives Adonis, Pxssy Palace and Queer House Party, among many others, feature in this joyful celebration of nightlife culture and the queer community, along with a bunch of great artists. Last year, the party took over 16 canalside venues in Hackney Wick. Body Movements was crowned Time Out London’s ‘Best New Event’ in our 2021 ‘Best of the City’ awards for its contribution to London’s queer community.

Tickets begin at £20.50.

Time Out tip:

DJs Jojo Jones, Bonzai Bonner, and A for Alpha will keep you on your feet dancing all night long.

Photograph: Lloyd Winters

5. Kaleidoscope Festival

If you’re looking for something creative and a little more low-key, Kaleidoscope Festival on Saturday July 23 in Ally Pally will be more up your street. There’s every genre here from Charlotte Church’s Pop Dungeon and the House Gospel Choir to Craig Charles’ funk and soul set and Orbital’s electronic one. But the eclectic day festival isn’t just for music, it has a whole host of arts stuff too, from comedy to workshops – and even a kids’ area (yes, there is a magician).

Tickets are £50.

Time Out tip:

Sindhu Vee is headlining the comedy stage, if you like a bit of clever, slightly self-deprecating humour, and witty reflections on family and identity.

Photograph: FREE NOW

Do summer your way with FREE NOW

Thanks to FREE NOW, the mobility super app, you can travel on your terms this summer, keeping you connected with the things you love across the capital. FREE NOW is fast, flexible and offers four different transport types at the tap of an app:

Black Cabs
FREE NOW is the UK’s biggest black cab app, which means there are plenty of these iconic cars to go ‘round. What’s more, you can select an electric vehicle, and your expert driver can actually use the bus lane to get you to your destination faster.

Private Ride
Convenient, affordable and available in London, Private Rides are always there when you need them.

eScooters and eBikes
Zip around with ease, sun on your cheeks. FREE NOW has partnered with two London suppliers (Tier and Dott) which means you can legally scoot or cycle around the capital.

Get there your way with FREE NOW

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