Croydon Summer Festival 2010

• 15th Jun 2010

The Croydon Summer Festival returns for its tenth year and is now bigger and better than ever before with a compelling mix of acts from across the music spectrum and entertainment for all the family… and all this for FREE!

Acts confirmed for the MAIN STAGE on Saturday include English punk rock band THE DAMNED, family favourites THE LIGHTNING SEEDS, Motown legends MARTHA REEVES & THE VANDELLAS and new soul/reggae sensation ROX. Other live acts include the afro funk outfit NHASFARITI and the renowned IDMC GOSPEL CHOIR. This year the stage will be compered by DJ RITU who’s worked with amongst others the mighty Asian Dub Foundation and who hosts a weekly show on BBC Radio London.

Saturday’s WORLD STAGE, compered by DJ CAL JADER, presents a wholly diverse mixture of sounds from around the world including PEYOTI FOR PRESIDENT who encompass the spirit of punk, the heart of sixties protest movement and the soul of the Black Panthers. Also appearing are one of the very few UK female Muslim hip hop crews POETRIC PILGRIMAGE, tropical psychedelic rock band LOS CHINCHES, the 21st century hill billy anarchists CUT A SHINE and winner of Croydon's unsigned artist of 2010 JOE HOOD. As well as music there's a global market, fantastic street theatre, a huge kids' area, funfair, workshops, Green Village and the Wall of Death! We’re also excited to announce the new CLUB SODA POP TENT hosted by Croydon adults with learning difficulties – a chance to dance the day away! Pull up a hay bale for the BANDSTAND which will showcase a cross section of Croydon’s finest musicians from fiery folk to home-spun dubstep.

Sunday brings the much loved annual MELA celebration of Asian music to Croydon featuring on the Main Stage JASSI SIDHU, TAZ, PARV KAUR FEMALE DOHL AND DANCERS and RAGHU DIXIT. A special highlight is the premiere of BALUJI SHRIVASTAV’s south-east Asian percussion ensemble featuring eight leading London based instrumentalists in the world premiere of the RHYTHM OF LIFE PERCUSSION ORCHESTRA. They will be joined on stage by local students and amateur musicians. Some of the leading lights of the Asian Music Circuit will appear on the ARCC CLASSICAL STAGE and the popular COMMUNITY STAGE will feature back to back Asian influenced amateur performers. There will also be the ATHEHC BANDSTAND which will showcase up and coming performers from Nepal to Pakistan.

For regular updates on confirmed acts please check link and don't forget it's only fifteen minutes by train from London and 40 minutes from Brighton.