LONDON MUSIC FESTIVALS
Some of the world’s largest and most popular festivals are held in London on a yearly basis, bringing international super-acts, up-and-coming musicians and the best of the alternative and underground scenes to thrilled music fans. Historically London has long been a favoured location for big festivals – one only has to think of the Live Aid and Live8 concerts to realise just how successful London is as a music festival venue.
The O2 Wireless Festival is quickly becoming one of the most popular music festivals. Each year it draws in huge crowds and some of the world’s most famous musicians. Held in Hyde Park, the festival has seen such acts as Keane, Kasabian, Basement Jaxx, The Strokes, Massive Attack, The Flaming Lips, The White Stripes, Queens of the Stone Age, Air, Kaiser Chiefs and James Blunt, amongst others. Known for getting a great line-up of Top 40 and best-selling rock and alternative acts, the Wireless Festival should continue to be successful for many years to come.
The BBC Proms also experiences huge popularity amongst a wide variety of festival attendees every year. With music ranging from orchestral to choral to traditional to modern to rock, it’s not hard to understand why the Proms continue to be regarded as one of the most prestigious events to be asked to perform at.
Aside from these two major events in London’s annual calendar, the city also hosts other fantastic and diverse festivals such as the Mill Hill Music Festival North London (with jazz, opera, choral and orchestral performers), the London Festival of Chamber Music, the Notting Hill Carnival (a riot of colour and excitement made more enjoyable by the fantastic street bands), the Big Chill Festival and the Rise Festival (Rise: London United).