This July, the creators of some of the UK’s most acclaimed concerts, shows and spectaculars are bringing forth the newest and brightest addition to the festival season.
Enter Citadel, a one-day celebration in Victoria Park boasting an array of talent and looking to encapsulate the perfect summer Sunday.
Conceived and created by the award-winning Wilderness Festival and Superfly – co-creators of Bonnaroo and Outside Lands, two of America’s most prestigious festivals – Citadel will also showcase a breadth of musical programming, with acclaimed London-based indie label Communion and visionary promoters and tastemakers Sound-crash curating their respective stages.
Topping the bill are two of the UK’s biggest acts, in the form of the chart/arena conquering folk hero Ben Howard, and critically acclaimed, award winning quartet Bombay Bicycle Club, who will play their only London performance of 2015 at Cita-del. Furthermore, there’s an impressive slew of other artists which make Citadel one of the most important and exciting musical happenings of the year.
Also taking to the main stage will be Kurt Vile & The Violators, taking their anthe-mic, sun-kissed Americana to the masses. They say: “We look forward to playing in London again this summer! One of our favorite cities in the world!”. Anna Calvi will also be delivering her trademark dramatic flair, this time augmented by The Heritage Orchestra, and Doves frontman Jimi Goodwin will be performing material from his lauded solo album “Odludek”. Brooklyn based troubadour Steve Gunn will also be making an appearance, as will singer-songwriter Joe Pug and his gorgeous, offbeat ballads.
Meanwhile, at the Communion stage, British alt folk band Bear’s Den head up pro-ceedings alongside electronic-pop connoisseur Dan Croll and the beautiful soul/R&B outfit Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats. Take-no-prisoners Glaswegian lo-fi rock duo Honeyblood will be picking up the pace alongside Australian rock and roll trio The Walking Who, and dreamy, rapidly ascending balladeer Tor Miller will also be in attendance alongside the hotly-tipped, enigmatic Rhodes.
Which is not to say, however, that those looking to dance won’t be satisfied. Not in the least, as Citadel will be treated to an exclusive set from Despacio, the innova-tive, custom-built soundsystem brought to you by LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy and 2manydjs. This is going to be an unmissable experience.
Elsewhere, Soundcrash taps iconic British rapper Roots Manuva, Seun Kuti lead-ing the legendary Afrobeat band Egypt 80, Flying Lotus collaborator and white hot star in her own right Andreya Triana, the off-kilter electronic jazz collective Hidden Orchestra and Ibibio Sound Machine, who will be bringing a bit of Nigerian punk/ psychedelic soul to Victoria Park.
Music is only half the story. In addition to this distinguished line up, Citadel will also host some of the city’s gastronomic leaders who will be crafting a series of long ta-bleSunday dining experiences, including Sunday roasts and summer barbeques.
There will also be a Park Bandstand, which will feature traditional brass bands, swing dancing, folk dancing ceilidhs and hoedowns, and a Rock’n’Roller Disco where festival-goers can bust a move to blues, soul and rock and roll. Furthermore, Secret Productions’ Sunday Papers Live team will host a tent of captivating literary talks, spoken word and debates for a special version of their popular event, featuring the likes of Reeps One, Bellatrix, Charlie Dark, Dizraeli, Chill Pill, Zoe Williams and many, many more.
There is so much more besides, with a Sunday Sports Day boasting a Citadel Volley Ball tournament plus swing ball, sack races and limbo Olympics, complete with special guest comperes. The Citadel Arts Studio will be offering Fine Arts and Crafts Workshops, Portrait Painting, Clay Sculpting and even Life Drawing, and those pursuing more zen-like activities will be able to seek refuge in roaming mas-sage therapies, afternoon yoga and further opportunities to unwind. From markets and expos showcasing East London’s cutting-edge designers and craftsmanship, to stages and spaces offering a unique mix of live musicianship and theatre, Citadel will be Victoria Park’s 2015 summer crescendo which celebrates the Sunday pleasures of music, performance, ideas and dining….an afternoon where the Park takes a col-lective breath.
Main Stage
Ben Howard
Bombay Bicycle Club
Kurt Vile & The Violators
Anna Calvi with The Heritage Orchestra
Jimi Goodwin
Steve Gunn
Joe Pug
Communion presents
Special Guests TBA
Bear’s Den
Dan Croll
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
Honeyblood
Rhodes
Tor Miller
The Walking Who
Soundcrash presents
Roots Manuva
Seun Kuti & Egypt 80
Andreya Triana
Ibibio Sound Machine
DESPACIO
2manydjs & James Murphy
Feasting & Food
GREAT DINING & SUNDAY ROASTS
Music & Dancing
THE PARK BANDSTAND
Brass bands, swing dances, folk ceilidhs & hoedowns
THE ROCK’N’ROLLER DISCO
Blues, soul & rock’n’roll
Talks, comedy & spoken word
SUNDAY PAPERS LIVE
The broadsheets brought to life, section by section, by writers, rappers, poets & politicians. Featuring…
Tessa Jowell
Zoe Williams
Maajid Nawaz
Reeps One
Dizraeli
Bellatrix
Sabrina Mahfouz
Charlie Dark
Chill Pill
Jolyon Rubinstein
Frontline Club
Ben Judah
Dan Schreiber
Daniel Raven-Ellison
Son & Sons
Plus more TBA…
Sports & Games
SUNDAY SPORTS DAY
The Citadel Volley Ball Tournament
Badminton, Croquet, Ping Pong, Swing Ball, Sack Races & Limbo Olympics with Guest Games Comperes & much, much more.
Arts & Workshops
THE CITADEL ART STUDIO
Fine Arts & Crafts Workshops
Portrait Painting, Life Drawing, Clay Sculpting, Exhibitions & Photography
Relaxation & Wellbeing
WILD WELLBEING
Roaming Massage & Expert Therapies
Mass Park Yoga Sessions
Sunday Markets
MISS LIPPY BEAUTY & FASHION
