When Citadel Festival was first born, I had reservations about the longevity and meaning of its life. Did London really need another festival? Did the UK need another family friendly event? But they’ve been building on their successes, and this year bring an amazing line up of quality artists to Victoria Park on Sunday 16th July 2017.
Foals play their only UK festival appearance, and indie legends Wild Beasts will also be whipping the park into a dark trippy frenzy, and the ubiquitous and brilliant Bonobo mixes things up. If you’ve tried to get tickets to see Laura Marling recently you’ll know that even selling multiple limbs won’t secure them, so the opportunity of seeing her on a (hopefully) sun drenched stage in summer is one not to passed over. Communion welcome to their stage soulful Michael Kiwanuka, Sylvan Esso, rockers Twin Peaks and Nadine Shah, whilst Clash & Last FM turn things up a bit with Vessels, and welcome Ben Howard’s new band A Blaze Of Feather.
You’ll also find Sunday Papers Live, Sofar Sounds and journalism experts The Frontline Club, as well as the Science Museum, FuturePlay and The Indytute offering creative exploration and events. All festivals these days need yoga and swing dancing, and Citadel is no different, bringing on board SwingTrain, Frame and the House of Voga for a dose of wellbeing. There’s also some acoustic sessions, the must see Roller Skating Fiddle Players, a family rave from Big Fish Little Fish, some sports games, theatre – and a ton of street food and craft ales.
All in all, they’ve proved me completely wrong. Nice one.
Buy tickets now.