The Rise Festival at Finsbury Park is fucking brilliant, and it's totally free!
A few of us from here went last year to see Saint Etienne, who were brillint. It was pouring with rain though, so we only stayed for that act and to be fair, it wasn't packed out! There are lots of other things going on there too. After getting waxed in the pub, Don and i went back in the evening to check out the comedy tent - it was like a sauna in there so we ended up going on the big wheel and fairground rides instead, as you do when you're responsible adults!
Went again this year with Ness, Chris and met up with some of my Chelsea mates and some other friends. Greg and Jert came storming through the crowds at some point! Even took Joe to his first festival this year as it's completly child friendly there! The sun was beaming - so there was a massive crowd of 100,000 this year, which was pretty healthy I think.
The acts were excellent too - CSS, Jimmy Cliff (Joe's fave), Dub Pistols - brilliant UK hip-hop acts. Again there was tons of stuff going on all over the park - Belly dancing, Comedy, fairgrounds, booze, food other DJ stages.
It did get too packed towards the end and we moved out a bit, but that's like any other festival. It was good being able to go off and kick a football about as well - there were other kids there so it was a great day out for adults and kids alike. Joe loved it. Shame my friends kid broke her arm on one of the slides and had to go to hospital to have an operation, but that aside - it was one of the best festivals we had ever been to!
You can bring your own alcohol as long as it's not in bottles.
I think it's brilliant it's free, it adds to the buzz of the day being there and to enjoy music. The purpose of the festival is to raise the anti - racism message and as cheesy as it sounds, it really does bring together everyone from all walks and the message is really driven home, so it's something that works.
Sadly the festival may be no more as Boris has stated from his office that this festival can no longer be a festival about anti-racism and will simply just be a festival, so this will have a significant impact on the acts they are able to get to perform. There are all kinds of politcal issues surrounding the future.
I think it's a great shame, but then I am safe in the knowledge that I didn't vote that cock in as mayor.
Ness has some great pics of the day that she posted on facebook - and they really capture the fun and enjoyment of the whole day. One of the best days I ever had for the cost of a picnic and some tipples!
Did you like the TOWER?
