With The Levellers, Athlete and Massive Attack, On Blackheath turned out to be a perfect festival with which to end the summer

  • On Blackheath
  • South East London
  • September 13-14

In a crowded market place is there really room for another music festival? Especially at the tail-end of the summer.

On last weekend’s evidence, the answer is a resounding ‘hell yeah!’ Taking place on the eponymous common in South East London, On Blackheath was billed as a blend of music and food, with live sets interspersed with cookery demonstrations from celebrity chefs.

To fans of Kingham’s Big Feastival, it all sounded very familiar, though, any similarity to Alex James’s far bigger event was only in passing.

Saturday was the big-hitting day, boasting a headline set by Bristolian trip-hop legends Massive Attack and, more randomly, Grace Jones; a massive coup for a first event.

Sunday was lower-key but still boasted some delights. While punk-folk artist Frank Turner was the day’s headliner, some of the day’s earlier acts put the former hard-rocking Old Etonian in the shade.

Early afternoon featured Slow Club, a boy/girl duo as easy on the eye as the ears. The pair delivered a sunny set of heartfelt pop, singer Rebecca Taylor throwing herself into the set with increasing passion.

They were followed by Athlete, who continued the chilled-out vibe with such shimmering gems as Half Light, Tourist, You Got The Style and beautiful closer Wires – the song written by singer Joel Pott, about seeing his premature daughter hooked up to an incubator. It never fails to move. 

Oxford Mail:
The Levellers

For sheer exuberance, though you can’t beat The Levellers for a belting set of fist-pumping rabble-rousing fury. And they played a blinder, even bringing on next act Imelda May for their anthem What a Beautiful Day.

Yes, the sight of these anarcho-folkies leaping around at a festival backed by John Lewis was a little surreal, but then Blackheath does have its own revolutionary past, being the mustering point for Wat Tyler's Peasants’ Revolt and, a few years later, Jack Cade's Kentish rebellion.

A fantastic littlle festival that punched above its weight, let’s hope this two-day gathering is back next year - and here to stay - returning a taste of freewheeling fun to an historic, and surprisngly beautiful open space.