Thames Festival 15-16th September

[Skim]

Went yesterday – bit of a disappointment, really. It was quite promising at first, with the big band music at Bernie Spain Gardens, but as we squeezed through the crowds towards the RFH there was nothing to see apart from food and jewellery stalls... like Camden, but with less goths.

We walked back and headed towards the Tate, but there was more of the same, including a Starbucks stall

Maybe there was more interesting stuff going on (I would have known if their website had been working), but after an hour of wandering around and seeing nothing of interest, we bailed out. It's a great place for a festival in theory, but there were too many people crammed into a small space to enjoy wandering around.

 

[RubyToogood]

There were toilets behind City Hall, I think rich must have just missed them. And the South Bank Centre end of the festival was mostly stalls and too crowded I agree. City Hall was the better end, but I kept stumbling across interesting things along the way like sand sculptures and a group of Morris dancers. There was some great stuff going on in the Scoop yesterday - the Highland bagpipers with Brazilian percussionists stand out. And the fireworks were excellent, although the carnival was a bit "seen it last year" in parts.

 

[DeadManWalking]

I didn't think it was a patch on last year. Only went on Saturday but it seemed a lot more commercial maybe because mastercard was sponsoring it? Saw the Forty thieves orkestra who were great but not loud enough.

 

[rich!]

I didn't think it was a patch on last year. Only went on Saturday but it seemed a lot more commercial maybe because mastercard was sponsoring it? Saw the Forty thieves orkestra who were great but not loud enough.

They were plenty loud at FinFest, if they're the people I think they were

 

[DeadManWalking]

They were plenty loud at FinFest, if they're the people I think they were

Eastern European folk type stuff with a woman singer.

 

[rich!]

Eastern European folk type stuff with a woman singer.

Yeah, that's them. I'm not sure if it was by then we'd made our own podium out of the straw bales lying around...

 

[Onket]

Saw the Forty thieves orkestra who were great but not loud enough.

Saw a bit of them & thought they were very good.

 

[boing!]

I went down yesterday afternoon by chance after seeing this thread. not been before but had a great time, saw some brilliant swing band playing near the oxo tower, enjoyed the carnival and the fireworks at the end were superb.

 

[William of Walworth]

Deb was unexpectedly on London after a very late decision, just for a few hours and we were up there by the Thames on Sunday, but didn't see much music or many sights ... Baka Beyond at the Green Stage were pretty good though.

 

[Maggot]

And the fireworks were excellent, although the carnival was a bit "seen it last year" in parts.

I only went to the carnival and the fireworks and thoroughly enjoyed both. It was one of the best fireworks displays I've seen.


Awww William, you've managed to mention Deb in nearly every post you've made today - sweet!