OnBlackheath has become a mainstay of South London festivals. Situated on the Heath itself with, Greenwich Park just around the corner, this is a delightful part of London to spend the weekend in late summer, whatever the weather.
Rain on Saturday afternoon, then dry the rest of the weekend, indeed, it was gloriously sunny on the Sunday. A two day festival, no camping but that is not a issue in this location. The site itself has a heavy John Lewis (the main sponsor) presence and tons of excellent food stalls and numberous non musical activites.
Local boys, The Meantime brewery supply the beer and, with kids going free, it’s a real family affair. On Blackheath has a Chef’s stage with demos and a kiddies stage and adventure park which is packed all weekend long. The Roald Dahl maze a real highlight apparently.
Bands on the Saturday for us, kick off with Lone Lady on the main stage. A raft of great songs, with a full band and great visuals on the big screens. Róisín Murphy is next up and another original show presenting songs from the new album. More on stage costume changes than I have ever seen at a gig ... almost an art form in itself.
Connan Mockasin has played a fair few festivals this summer, but just seems to get better every time, a great summer set. Stars for the day as darkness fell were Hot Chip who had the main stage crowd bouncing. Most of the band have been off doing solo stuff recently, so great to see them back together.
All day the three stages are buzzing with activity and DJ sets from Don Letts and Neneh Cherry go down a storm in the DJ tent. It’s a pure rock n’roll finale with Primal Scream to round the day off and with a 10pm curfew we are back at the hotel in time for Match of the Day!
A stroll around Greenwich on a sunny Sunday morning is lovely, it also led to the discovery of Casbah Records, an ace record shop at 320-322 Creek Road.
Back on the Heath for the dreamy Amber Arcades followed by some Spanish Psych from Mardid based band The Parrots. Heavenly Records are curating a stage today so, it not easy to drift away especially as Edwyn Collins and band are next on and play a superb set of solo and Orange Juice tunes. Amazing and highly comenable to see Edwyn treading the boards with so much enthusiasm!
Soak with full band brought her beefed up ballads to the main stage early afternoon, followed by, local heroes Squeeze who draw the biggest crowd of the festival in the glorious sunshine.
It’s now about choices as the festival reaches it’s climax, James or Saint Etienne and then Belle & Sebastian or Nightbeats. We go the James and Nightbeats route and are not disappointed. What a fine band James still are and with Tim Booth spending most of the time crowd surfing. “I trust you to take care of this antique” he tells the crowd before diving in again, they are a triumph.
Belle and Sebastian play what seems the same set they have been playing all summer and whilst they are a lovely band live, we go for a bit more bite with L.A.’s Nightbeats. They blow the roof off the tent, a power trio on fire and a great way to end the bands this weekend.
We catch the end of the Craig Charles Funk & Soul DJ set that has the packed tent bouncing before heading back to the hotel yes, in time for Match of the Day 2.
A great weekend all round, let’s hope it’s all back in 2017.
Pete