What: The most chilled out way to spend your August Bank Holiday weekend in London with the most sought after DJs.
When: 27–28th August 2016.
Where: Clapham Common, London.
I have been a Londoner for 10 years and I feel bad for not having gone to this festival before. It’s a lot smaller than Ultra or Tomorrowland but still brilliant despite being in the shadier endz of London. Weekend tickets are sold out. But you can still get day tickets for Saturday and Sunday (third release so hurry) for £62.50 (the price of about 20 Waffles).
London? Hell yeah!
Home to 8.65 million people with over 270 nationalities. It’s easy to see why it’s the world’s capital for the best music and parties. People from all over the world go through the struggle of filling a 17 page visa application form (soon Europeans will have to as well) for one reason.
There is always something to do - and that’s for everyone. We have a hint of Wall Street in Canary Wharf and Red Light District in Soho (except it’s mainly blue).
Interestingly, Londoners tend to have this inner self that wants to be all Straight Outta Peckham and feel gangsta. This is much to the annoyance of EDM lovers like me, as I feel our events are not promoted as much as say… Wireless Festival.
If you’re feeling sad about not going to Ibiza or Ultra Europe this summer, don’t worry. Turns out you’re in luck. London is in fact host to one of the best EDM festivals in Europe: SW4 Festival. It’s smaller, more intimate and more local than Creamfields #Success.
Fancy a getaway in the city?
South West Four was conceived as a backyard party for 200 party-crazed Aussies, local police and environmental health workers back in June 2001. It became an official date on the UK calendar in 2004 when it premiered as a one day event. It has since expanded to cover two days of dance music fun during London’s clear and sunny summer days (kind of). What could possibly be better than spending a weekend in the greatest city of all times?
Unlike other festivals I have been to, I didn’t have to take any flights to this one. I would assume they could be pretty pricey seeing as the festival takes place at the end of August so get them ASAP! Anyway, the entrance last year was quick and less cramped than the entrance at Ultra Europe. I prefer field festivals to closed up places which have a bad habit of bringing out my claustrophobia. Maybe that’s just me…
Both the days had good music but I enjoyed Saturday more than Sunday. It had more of the well known Balearic names than usual given the capital’s more urban sounds we’ve come to expect. Sunday was still good but we all have our favourites right 😂
The event takes place in the daytime with the sound systems shutting down at 10pm. I know that’s early but welcome to the UK. Party people looking to further extend their buzz after the noise stops can find plenty of thrills and spills in the capital at Ministry of Sound and Electric Brixton.
Don’t worry about only getting the standard tickets like me. My friend noted that they wore different coloured wrist bands to mark them out as ‘proper mugs’ in the VIP section. They still had to queue at the bar and their only privilege was access to flushing bogs. Also, just because you are VIP, does not mean you can bring drugs or weapons to the festival incase you thought that was cool… 🗡
Carl’s Back!
Last year’s lineup was as hot as a freshly baked 🍞 Waffle. Eric Prydz and Solomun really stood out on Saturday, rocking South West London. I felt less involved in Sunday’s sets, with Adam Beyer being the only exception. He’s unreal and is usually alongside his partner in crime (and now wife) Ida Engberg. Their sets at Ministry and Tomorrowland over the last month left me… speechless.
This year’s lineup is SW4's biggest ever. Gorgon City is hosting his first ever UK festival stage and The Chemical Brothers will be topping the main stage.
Oh yes! Oh yes! The 53 year old legendary Carl Cox will be returning to the capital for his final and only London appearance of the year. 2016 marks the year that he will be bringing the shutters down on a 17 year residency at the illustrious super club, Space Ibiza. So this might be your last EVER chance to see him live! I will certainly be there.
Getting There
Car: The address is Clapham Common is Clapham Common, London, SW4 9DE. It’s a 20 minute drive from central London (if it’s not rush hour).
Bus: Routes 35, 37, 50, 88, 137, 155, 249, 255, 345, 355, 417 and G1 stop near or right in front of the festival site. After the event is over, you can use the night buses N35, N37, N155, N137, N345 to get to your final destinations.
Tube: The nearest London Underground tube station is Clapham Common and Clapham South on the Northern Line (Zone 2). Clapham Common station will be closed when the event finishes. The best Tube options for getting home will be Clapham South which is around 8 minutes walk or Brixton Underground on the Victoria Line which is a 20 minute walk from the event.
Train: The nearest National Rail station is at Clapham Junction. Trains run to and from London Victoria or London Waterloo and also go outwards to South and West London. It is a 25 minute walk from the station to the festival site.
Hot or Stale?
Head over to Waffle to start chatting about SW4. Meet people before heading to the festival, or just join the conversation and give YOUR two cents.
