Lovebox Weekender 2006 at Victoria Park, London

22/07/2006

London’s Victoria Park played host to this year’s Lovebox Weekender - instigated by the Grandaddies of chill, Groove Armada.

In it’s 4th year, the festival offered up an eclectic mix of music, cabaret, street art, circus acts and all round entertainment, providing a little something for just about everyone.

A multitude of pretties covered the mature parkland - disco balls, rainbow ribbons and papier mache beasties dangled from every tree with brightly coloured stalls, bars and what can only be described as installation art (check out the Al Fresco bathroom) keeping us suitably distracted before the festivities began.

With 10 arena’s, this festival was set up for, and undoubtedly covered a wide range of musical tastes although with a definite emphasis on funky chilled out tunes. Highlights of our day included the Mexican guitar duo Rodriguo Y Gabriella, DJ’s Slammin Boys vs. some jazz band who we never found out the name of, the crazy Tiger Lillies (“…a startling mixture of opera, gypsy song and left bank Paris”) and a wicked little trio called Blah Blah Blah whose quiet looking lead singer sounded like a man possessed when he got near the microphone.

Headlining on Saturday, Groove Armada topped off the evening with a set containing a mixture of new and old material, and although I‘ve seen them play better, there was a real feel good atmosphere amongst the crowd who happily swayed and bounced along to every tune. Even the Heavens were kind to us, revitalising our sweaty bodies with a cool shower mid-show.

Music and pretties aside, the festival truly rocked. Toilets were aplenty and generally clean. Seating was widely available in the form of sofas, giant beds and groovy little interlinking park benches. Each arena had it’s own unique character, giving us plenty to see and do. Food was reasonably priced and above festival standard (Oh! The paella!). And beer was available from several tents at an acceptable £3 a pint.

If you like chilling out in a beautiful park on a sunny day, drinking beer, listening to good music and generally having fun with your mates, then this is the festival for you. If you don’t then I hope you and your imaginary friend have fun spotting them trains.

You can check out photos in the UKCD photo gallery.

Review by PinkyDink