Council to make £300,000 from three festivals over August bank holiday on Clapham Common

By Grainne Cuffe, Local Democracy Reporter

Lambeth council is set to rake in £300,000 by giving three new festivals the go-ahead on Clapham Common.

Festival Republic’s ‘Clapham Common Summer 2021’ event is made up of three one-day music festivals planned for the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Afrobeat music festival Yam Carnival is set to take place on August 28, RTRN II Dance on August 29 and hip-hop and rock festival ALT+LDN on the bank holiday Monday, August 30.

All three festivals have a capacity of up to 39,999.

Festival Republic, the company behind the events, is also known for the Wilderness, Latitude, Leeds and Reading festivals, and Wireless.

Cllr Sonia Winifred, cabinet member for equalities and culture, is expected to sign off on a report recommending the festivals be given the green light on Monday.

According to the document “the estimated total income to be generated from this event is over £300,000”, £63,000 of which will go back into the upkeep of the common.

It states: “The service recommendation is that this event is approved to take place on Clapham Common in 2021 with the caveat that organisers continue to work closely with the events team and the safety advisory group members, as well as planning within the confines of the Covid-19 guidance as it stands at the time.”

From the creators of Afro Nation, Yam Carnival is described as a “weekend celebration of the African diaspora, including Caribbean and Latin American culture, with music and food from across the world”.

RTRN II DANCE is a brand-new event, “which sees UK dance music legends Chase & Status bring an array of other drum & bass stars to Clapham Common in South London for a celebration of rave dance”.

And ALT+LDN is dubbed, “London’s first alternative Hip-Hop and Rock Festival”.

Several local groups, including Friends of Clapham Common and the Clapham Society, were invited to comment on the plans.

The council report says that “although there are many people who do not support large scale commercial events in our parks, there are many who do”.

It says: “In 2021, if Covid-19 restrictions allow, the coming together and the shared experience will be very important in breaking the isolation arising from eighteen months of restrictions.

“Each event has different audience profiles, all of whom will benefit from the coming together at these events.

“More so than ever events such as these will positively impact the health and well-being of our community who attend.”

Festival Republic has been contacted for comment.

Pictured top: Clapham Common