Love box Festival isn't just a music festival, It's much more than that…read more It's an escape with all it's beery, sweaty glory. In the midsummer Victoria Park played host to a crowd of beery, sweaty, joyous, feeling the love group of people, coming to take in hours upon hours of great music performed live by some of the greatest artists and DJ''s around. A sweltering dustbowl of Victoria park was full of vivid colours, four stage, fun fair, food Stalls, merchandise. As we groove to the first tent heavy dancing and beats session was to tantalising to miss. Once that was finished, we tucked into a delicious Ostrich burger. Then stroll toward the fairground rides and after recovering from the rides and my organs had settled down from the ordeal we dancing our way into another tent where we bump into random people and started up a dancing frenzy and left.... hehehe....! Bopped over to the Main Stage in between, were Alunageogre D,anglo and Plan. B performed. Overall magnificent.

Pretty decent weekend offering in surprisingly lovely surroundings of Victoria Park, Hackney, East…read moreLondon. It pretty easy to get here (if you know the way from the station!!), just 20 minutes from Camden Road on the overground service, and only 1 pound! We had lots of fun on Saturday watching Manu Chao, Groove Armada, Lethal Bizzle, and possible Wiley! Can't give it 5 stars because of the really stupidly long bar queues, but the rest of the setup is pretty pleasant, and the atmosphere is chilled, no trouble at all.

I didn't stay here for long, as I was heading down to the Mela in Croydon, but it was very nice,…read morehot, lovely little plant stall selling lots of strange herbs I'd not encountered (what is grapefruit mint please?) free Supermalt from the malty drinks stand, which is like liquid sweet bovril/horlicks for those not familiar, and free cans of drink at teh entrance as well. Bit gutted i missed out on Jimmy Cliff, but I did see him at the Croydon Festival last year. Worth attending. However it was so loud that I could only stand about ten minutes of music, so I don't know what condition your hearing would be in after eight hours.

If I new anything about web design and hacking I would attempt to add another couple of stars to…read morethis review. Other things I've given five stars are no where near as good as the Rise Festival was. The parks in London make it a city worth living in. They are free and very well kept and I just love them. A place where the alcoholic and the athlete, the child, the gangster and the elderly can all find a bit of room and do their thing. Summer is welcomed into London with a series of free festivals accross its parks, with perhaps the biggest being the Rise festival. The web site states that well over 100,000 people attended and I can well believe it. Having said that it felt much more spacious than Clissold parks' Stokefest a month of so earlier. You could move around at the Rise festival, making it much easier to sample more than one music show - or to go and get beer or food. My favourite barometer for the quality of a festivals organisation is the length of time you have to queue for the toilet. I wasn't so pedantic as to time it, but I would have to say that the wait was always less than ten minutes. Admirable!! Especially compared to the likes of The Notting Hill Carnival (an important part of the London music scene seems to be the ability to keep drinking and dancing whilst your bladder explodes.) Now a free concert like this is never going to attract the likes of Radiohead or Fatboy slim so direct comparisons with music between The Rise Festival and say Hyde Park the week earlier are probably unfair. None of these acts, which I list below, had appeared on my Ipod. CSS Jimmy Cliff Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings Dub Pistols featuring Terry Hall and Rodney P Kitty, Daisy and Lewis Trojan Sound System TY Bassekou Kouyate Yaaba Funk The Aliens But the music I heard, particularly The Aliens and some African dance music on a smaller stage, was excellent stuff. Add to this quality music the fact that you can carry in your own drinks and food, that I was able to walk to the venue, that there were rides and food and interesting cultural things going on - AND IT WAS FREE! - this was just a spectacular day out. Another great thing about this festival was the atmosphere and the general crowd behaviour. People were just friendly and happy. I didn't witness any crowd misbehaviour and I felt that the police were really restrained and respectful in their presence. Unfortunately, I have to delcare that if this event happened in Australia - there would be a lot more drunken idiots. Especially teenagers. The Rise Festival made the headlines because Boris, our Mayor, removed the specific focus of Anti - Racism, with a little last minute meddling. It was apparantly the biggest Anti Racism festival in europe. He changed it to the Celebrate Diversity festival. Now I don't disagree with it neccessarily but I don't see any reason why he would have done that except as a little statement that he can do whatever he wants. First he gets rid of drinking on public transport, then he starts mucking about with festivals. I bet next he will extend areas on the streets where you can't drink and then he will ban drinking in parks, and the free festivals and their special nature will go out with. Londons park festivals, especially The Rise, are wonderful events that bring the community together and reinforce everything that is good about living in the capital.

LAST WEEK!! Get down here!…read more It's the pop up that popped up in May, then why and how have I only just visited? I wish I had gone earlier so it couldn't been my summer haunt. This is an elaborate venue. All the fun of the fair with a circus/freakshow feel about it with olde posters donning every wall. Candy floss, sweets. fair ground rides, actual freak show, theatre and lots and lots of bars. There's ample outside and covered seating. Subtly lit in the darkness you could see couples making out in some of the outside booths and friends perching together in stationary bumper cars. The atmosphere was chilled and upbeat. On a date night with the mrs, we booked ourselves in for Fasinating Aida. I would highly recommend you all do the same. Book yourself in for this topical musical comedy and enjoy the quirky atmosphere before it disappears at the end of the month.

Well, we booked in to see The Tiger Lilies and we didn't really get it. All around us were people…read morewho had come to worship at the feet of their heroes...and us. We didn't really get it ....however the spiegeltent is fab and the south bank is the place to be on a Saturday night! It's good to try something new...even if you don't get it!

Good show, hipsters, good show!…read more All kidding aside, this "market" is pretty rad. It's not so much a market as a converted car park with food stalls, beer gardens, dance floors, loos (loos!) and ample space to breathe. It's like a festival open every weekend. I like! I've been twice so far since it opened 5th June and have enjoyed a chicken sandwich from Butchies and a pulled pork sandwich from Bare Bones Cue. Both quite good and a step up from my usual fare on a Friday night! Great craft beer selection, higher end cocktails than you'd expect (I had some sort of champagne cooler with real blackberries in it -- these hipsters are fancy, ok?), and overall the vibe is pretty chill. They (like EVERYONE in the world) were broadcasting World Cup in the big beer garden as well. If/when the weather cooperates and you are out and about in Shoreditch this is surely worth a stop in for a few drinks in the open air and to people watch. *Open 5pm-midnight Wednesday-Saturday. *Cash only. *Great people watching.

Want a to find the coolest new hang out in east London this summer? Head over to Red Market. Don't…read morebe deceived by the name, you will find a selection of holiday inspired cocktails and alcoholic ice pops on the menu as well as local artists and food vendors. The space is at the back of the foundry so it has that edgy cool of the once loved by hipsters venue but without the doom and gloom of being inside. The bar is full stocked and you'll have super friendly and cute staff jump right too it as soon as you head over to order your drinks. They have cocktails starting from £6.50, which is pretty decent for this area as well as some other delights that would make Del Boy Trotter do a happy little dance. What's so great about this place? There is so much room! Loads of seats in the sunshine and even a little bit of shade by the bar for us fair skinned freaks. There is a mixture of old sofas and chairs with an array of attractive east London twats lolling on them. There are also surprisingly clean port-a-bogs although only one which might be a dilemma come Friday night drinking. As for food, there is a small dining area supported by The Disappearing Restaurant/Dinners people. Apparently you can contact them and array to have a private party here in a little gated off area. I think the ultimate joy here is the "Icely Done" vodka ice pops. They even have a selection of mini samples so you can try before you buy. It's going to be the way I'll be spending this summer, with my lips frozen to one of those treats!

Even before I started working on the Ealing Summer events, I loved them. You can bring your own…read morepicnic, your own drinks (no glass bottles please though - put your wine/champagne in a plastic bottle!) and most of the events are only £1, so its great for a cheap day out. Me and my friends have spent many a summer's day sprawled out on a blanket listening the music and sunbathing. Oh, and when you run out of your own food and drink, there's plenty of stalls to buy from too!

Not sure if it's sad to admit this but the Jazz Festival is one of the highlights of the year for…read moreme. Yes it's lazy, I live a 3 minute walk away, but hey I grab some folding chairs,make up copious amounts of pimms and laze in the park for 3-4 nights with friends getting squiffy and letting the music and ambience wash over me - what's not to like ? Been going for 20years or so now,and already booked in friends again for 2009..bring it on !

Went here for drinks last night. Was pretty busy but managed to nab a seat in a waltzer! Prices are…read moreok and atmosphere is good. Didn't see a show but will definitely book in for some. Give it a try.

London Wonderground really is amazing. I think it takes in the E4 tent as well as the speigeltent…read morewhich has shows on all the time. Stuff like cabaret, gypsy bands, and burlesque. The tent is worth the ticket price; it;s amazing inside and has the old-world 30s glamour feel abut it.

HANDS DOWN, Notting Hill Carnival was considered the best festival in the world. Preparation for…read moreCarnival is imminent, the award-tour going to Shaggy for his marvelous rendition of positive alchemy and alternative, until further notice. This year, like every other year, remains fast-and-furious with celebrity acts, past and present, returning to the world stage. There will be no stopping as the procession continues through West London and out into the suburbs of England. Alongside the love and support I get from family and the community, I also get a lot of love from Carnival. The black community in addition to oversea carnival goers create a homecoming atmosphere for me always. Thanks again to everyone who joined me over the years and who will continue to join me in helping make carnival that more - it is a special weekend for everyone and a special way to celebrate tradition and culture forever.

I heard a variety of things ranging from Eugh to Awesome and 'you'll get robbed/stabbed' to…read more'everyone is incredibly friendly'. So happy I went. In my opinion it's a must do at least once. It's apparently the largest street festival in Europe and it certainly feels like it. There's some sort of parade route, and every float is filled with sights and sounds (people dressed colourfully and without fail, excellent sound systems). A tonne of people kind of just wander along the parade route (I'm not even sure if there's one route or multiple) and just take it all in. Beyond that, there's a lot going on on pretty much every side street in the area. An abundance of food, people just chilling and drinking/smoking (NHC has a reputation for reefer and it's not unwarranted. There's the unmistakable scent pretty much everywhere at the festival), and a lot of areas set up with sound systems and people dancing. We bought drinks from various corner shops at prices of varying ridiculousness (one store was charging £4 for a GnT and £12 for a pack of Marlboro Ice Blast. Another was charging a more bearable £3 for the same GnTs). There were actually a fair number of porta loos set up, and the queues for them were reasonable. Phones of course don't work, and in the process of looking for a friend, I lost everyone I came with. Fortunately I managed to locate said friend and we still had a blast. Also, leaving the festival area was kind of confusing due to the crowds and road closures but there were police stationed everywhere and they were extremely helpful. As far as the you'll get robbed/stabbed bits, there's no doubt that you need to keep a close watch on your belongings as given the sheer amount of people, there's bound to be an opportunistic few. That aside, also given the sheer numbers and the tightness, there are a few idiots in a hurry who occasionally push or shove, and you can see tempers flare. I didn't actually see any fights break out but while dancing at one of the areas, heard the MC telling a group to break it up so evidently scuffles occur. Bottom line - don't be deterred and just go and have a blast! The vast majority of people there are incredibly friendly and overall it's just the sort of environment with incredible energy and positive vibes. Still felt good from it for a few days after.

Dear Foodies Festival…read more When I am running a round London on a Saturday to get to you please can you put up some signs so I can blooming well find you! You lose a star for this! Maybe it's harsh but I think there a few little things you could do better that would turn this from a very good event to a fricking amazing one. This is London, expectations are high my friends, very high. The producers!! You rocked it. Awesome British produce all around with lots of interesting international bits and pieces too. Wine...cheese...meat...toffee vodka....COOP with their prosecco and toastie for £3.50, also ended up being videoed by them for I'm guessing a focus group. My fav Canon and Canon, they do such amazing charcuterie. Scottish venison salami....erm yes!! Low point, possibly the organisation around getting tickets for shows. Was a little all over the place compared to similar type shows. All in all an amazing day and was so lucky to get Yelp VIP tickets, the free glass of fizz set me and my mate Dan up for an awesome afternoon! Thank you Beth, Yelp and the awesome people at Foodies. Love, Jd

Lovely people, lovely food and a fantastic atmosphere. This event was an absolute dream!…read more We arrived at 2:30pm and were directed straight to the VIP area where we received our wristbands and an introduction to the event. Sadly the majority of the shows/sessions (in particular the drink tasting sessions) had been fully booked but there was so much going on that we really didn't mind. We began on the second floor which was filled with a variety of stalls including gluten free chocolate and brownies, salmon, curry paste, vodka and more. A personal favourite for me was The Brownie Bar where I bought a corker (see pictures) - I am still yet to finish it as it's so rich and delicious I'm choosing to savour every last chocolate chip mouthful! We then continued onto the drinks section - this floor was rather random as it had stalls serving anything from coconut filled cocktails to Costco discounted knives. I was also reunited with the lovely Ross, from Gosnells Mead - he kindly gave us a large cup of mead each which went down a treat! There was also entertainment on this floor provided by 3 fantastic retro singers. They sang a variety of songs including everyone's favourite 'All I want for Christmas' - everyone in the area was singing along and having a little boogie - the atmosphere was just brilliant. Finally we went into the hot food area and I got chatting to a lovely lady on the Madame Louise stand. She gave us a free sample of their truffle honey and my oh my was it delicious! I took her card and will definitely be ordering a few jars for Christmas. All in all an excellent time was had and we finished with our complimentary glass of bubbles and a good bag! What more could you want from a Saturday day trip out! I will definitely be going along to their next festival in summer!