SW4 Festival- Beat in the Heart of London
London. A major world capital that caters to everyone taste. Whether you fancy an elegant meal or just want some Chinese food at 4 AM after a night out in the West End, you’re spoilt for choice. But for years, Summer Festivals seemed to be the only thing missing in this metropolitan paradise. In recent years, the picture has completely changed. Wireless is always good, as is Lovebox and the Notting Hill Carnival. But for electronic music, there’s only one place to be this summer… SW4 Festival.
Yep, SW4 festival really does provide a bigger beat to the heart of London. Here at Licklist, we know just how important festivals are in lives of anyone who knows how to truly soak up the summer fun. Despite having to fight wasps for the last strawberry, nothing’s better than drinking a cold drink while listening to some of the best live acts as the summer sun sets behind a London skyline. The best part of SW4 festival … you can experience all this and still catch the last tube!
What’s happening?
It’s pretty rare to see an electronic festival in the middle of any city, let alone London. But SW4 fest is just that. Born in 2004, the festival has been transforming Clapham Common every August Bank Holiday, into a quagmire of great vibes and even better drink.
This year is by no means any different. With both headlining acts, Deadmau5 and Above & Beyond, performing exclusively in London at the festival, it’s going to go down as one for the memories. Joining these superstars are the likes of Alesso, Eric Prydz and Netsky, all trying to live up to the high standard previously set by Fedde le Grand and Armin Van Buuren.
Ministry of Sound and Electric Brixton are the usual spots for SW4 Festival’s afterparties. So if you still fancy another drink after the acts have disappeared, these afterparties are the place to be. Given that some of the acts go there to unwind after a long day in the sun, you could be having a drink with some of the best dance and electronic DJs of our generation.
Sleeping
Like most modern day festivals in the city centre, there’s no place for you to pitch a shoddy-looking tent. But don’t fear, there are loads of hotels and hostels nearby. You might think that this is expensive, but it really isn’t. Sponsored by Hall Street Accommodation, the festival has started encouraging the hire of spare beds. Rather than spending double for a spare bed you aren’t going to use, split the price with someone else. At least that way, you don’t have to live off of tinned ravioli and lemon-flavoured Doritos.
Transport
Clapham is one of the most accessible locations in the U.K. With Britain’s biggest train station down the road, in the form of Clapham junction, it’s easy for you to drunkenly stumble home, wherever you might live. Additionally, Clapham Common and Clapham South stations are only a short walk away. With tubes running until midnight, there’s no reason to leave early, regardless of how much you’ve drunk or how much sun cream you’ve applied over the day.
Given the diversity of London, unique is a word that is often overused to describe Hibatchi restaurants and Zumba classes, but it really does fit with SW4 Fest. There’s no other place to enjoy great electronic music and great drinks while gazing at London’s skyscrapers. So grab your flip-flops, get online and grab a ticket quick. You won’t regret it!
By Gurjot Thind