Field Day festival is moving, again

[Ulquiorra]

Farewell, Brockwell Park

London’s Field Day festival is set to change location yet again.

This year saw the event relocate to Brockwell Park after 11 years at Victoria Park in East London. Its move was sparked by rival promoter AEG signing an exclusivity deal to host events at its former site for the next five years – which appeared to be the acclaimed inaugural All Points East festival.

Now, protests from local residents about ‘disruption’ and complaints from festival-goers about overcrowding will see the event find another new home next year.

“We can confirm that Field Day will not be taking place at Brockwell Park next year,” a spokesperson told NME. “2019 will mark an evolution of Field Day with more to be revealed soon.

Green Party councillor Becca Thackray added: “Field Day’s decision to hold the festival in a more suitable location is the right one, for them and for the people of Herne Hill.

“While I commend the organisers for their efforts to minimise the disruption to the area in May, it was always going to be impossible to simultaneously satisfy paying festival-goers and meet the needs of local residents.”

Meanwhile, sister event The Mighty Hoopla is said to be applying for a licence to return to Brockwell Park in 2019.

Responding to complaints of overcrowding after Four Tet’s headline set was halted, a spokesman said: “We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who came to Field Day this weekend. There was a pause during the show in The Barn on Saturday evening to allow concerns about congestion to be addressed. We realise this delay was frustrating but the safety of everyone on site is always our top priority and we are grateful to the audience for their patience and cooperation.

“The festival was sold out on Friday. On Saturday, the number on site was within the increased licensed capacity and there was additional space to reflect this. Please be assured that we will be collating, reading and reviewing all feedback so please do send any further comments you have have to [email protected].”

They added: “Thank you once again for all those who attended Field Day 2018.”

This year’s uproar from locals over Field Day being held at Brockwell Park came following the chaos that ensued at last year’s Sunfall festival, which was also held at the South London site.

Local leaders previously warned that ‘the scale of what was proposed would be too much for the community to bear’.