Festival review – GALA, Peckham Rye, 2-4/06/22
South London gets into its summer stride
As the sun blasted down on South London, the classic true British pre-festival statements were being vocally flung around on the walk from Peckham Rye station to GALA festival – “it’s a bit hot”, “have you pants them yet”. “How much for a pint?”. The youth and elders were all out in full throttle and what better way to celebrate than during a surprisingly sunny bank holiday.
Sunburn, sound systems and pure energy all featured at this year’s GALA festival, which took place over the new bank holiday (cheers Lizzy). Founded back in 2016, GALA is an independent South London festival which aims to celebrate the electronic dance music lineage. Using their lineup to celebrate the originators and innovators who have defined today’s club culture, as well as allowing space for the up and coming talent, which embodies and carries this legacy.
Friday kicked off in true style on the main stage with the likes of NTS’ breakfast host Flo Dill soothing into the day, with laid back grooves and Balearic goodness. The largest of all stages hosted a true spectacle of live music on Friday and throughout the weekend, with a particular ode to the booming south London jazz scene. Melodic wizards such as Joe Armon-Jones, Mansur Brown, NU Genea and more pumped out the finest in harmonic riffs to a buzzed up crowd. As Little Dragon took to the stage to finalise the first night, It was already quite clear, GALA had got it right once again this year, with a true lack of pretentiousness but a full supply of musical energy.
Over in the suitably named Pleasuredome, things were booting off early, Off the Meds brought their unique style from Stockholm and supplied thick low end pulsations to a sweltering dome and delivered a true education in new school hip house gems and afro house influences. Quickly bringing up the pace, the in-demand icon Nia Archives stepped up next, for a true display of all things junglist, singing live vocals over her smash summer hits, she brought the house down quickly with jungle edits of Dizzie Rascal’s “I LUV YOU”, blissed-out atmospheric breaks and beyond. All finishing on a special moment when she handed things over to the originator Goldie, a pure moment of old school and new school meeting and celebrating all things music, it was a golden moment for a golden day of breakbeat bliss.
Throughout the weekend there were multiple highlights which shone through a high standard of musicality and selections from the GALA roster. Charlie Bones hosted his DO YOU! Radio show throughout, with special quest including the likes of Sochi Terada and many more. Bones’ unforgettable cosy laughter echoed across the fields and portrayed the sense of a safe space for all. Courtesy turned the Pleasuredome on Saturday afternoon into a 90s transcending trance euphoria, with elegant yet borderline cheesy synth riffs glittered on top of piano riffs and rhythmic swells, finishing off with tears in her eyes and a crowd completely in a daze.
In an ever-expanding competitive market, London’s music festivals tend to struggle to stand out and supply what is truly needed for excellence but GALA hit the nail on the head (apart from maybe the £7.50 pints), supplying great sound, selectors, space and safety. We will be back for sure!
Jack Carr-Miles