Yam Carnival, a celebration of Black culture, is set to take place on August 28 followed by RTRN II Dance the next day and hip-hop and rock festival ALT+LDN on the bank holiday Monday.
Cllr Sonia Winifred, Lambeth’s Cabinet member for Cabinet member for Equalities & Culture, said: “Following the Covid-19 pandemic these events play an important role in our local economic recovery. They will also give people, especially our younger residents, a chance to enjoy live performances and socialise in a way that has just been impossible for the last 18-months.
“Music events have been held on Clapham Common for decades and are part of our local cultural scene, so we are proud to continue that tradition.
“This year we have secured an agreement with Live Nation that will see exciting bank holiday weekend events, local business get a boost and extra money generated for Clapham Common. Securing this funding is an essential part of our year round programme of Clapham Common improvements and upgrades.”
Income from events has helped pay for the refurbishment of Clapham Bandstand, bandstand concerts, gym equipment, playgrounds, litter bins, heritage benches and a project that saw shire horses used to prepare new wildflower meadows at Clapham Common.
The bank holiday weekend shows will take place in the pre-designated area of the Common that has been specially prepared to cope with events, with extra work having been undertaken in advance so that any damage to the grassy area can be quickly repaired.
Planning permissions have been secured for this year’s temporary events following well established practise, however a small protest has been held this week against these live shows taking place, and the council has agreed to meet those with concerns to address any issues they wish to raise.
In recognition of the protestor’s campaign the council is in dialogue with the Planning Inspectorate about permission to put up temporary structures for the events, although only one application relating to temporary event structures is believed to have been made previously, and that was linked to the 2012 Olympics.
