I can't do justice to the Deptford Urban Free Festival in one post, so will return to it shortly, but suffice it to say that from 1990 to 1995 there was an annual full-0n festival in Fordham Park, New Cross that attracted tens of thousands of people from all over London. It wasn't some municipal music do, but a proper free festival bringing the spirit of Stonehenge and Castlemorton into town for the weekend complete with loads of bands and sound systems. It was too good to last, in the climate of the post-Criminal Justice Act crackdown on open air raves and festivals Lewisham Council refused permission for it to continue in 1996. I was lucky enough to be there for several of them.
To get things started here's some footage by Nigel Smith of the 1991 festival:
Then from 1993, here's New Cross-based (and internationally known) band Test Department playing:
From the same year, here's Brixton-based RDK Hifi sound system:
More to come. Bring on the memories...
moved to new cross the year this failed to happen - such a shame. the right to meet and congregate on common ground is such a fundamental human right - allowing things like this happen would make life in this country so much better. cant trust councils...
ReplyDeleteWent to this. RDF, Back to the planet. Bumped into thrash and dr alex. Little yardie lads running around selling hash. no police inside. Tripped balls on purple om's
ReplyDeleteNice one for the uploads and taking me back but can u reload the test dept. video?? seems to be not work. Went to this gig n so keen to see it. cheers :)
ReplyDeleteSorry looks like that Test Dept film has been taken down, anybody got it?
ReplyDeleteSENSOR AND BACK TO THE PLANET WERE AWSOME, ME AND TWO MATES CYCLED IN FROM READING TOOK US HOURS
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