Portobello Live!
Back for its 3rd running year, Portobello Live is an eclectic music event celebrating West London’s musical and cultural heritage. This year’s edition saw performances from big names of the likes of punk performance poet John Cooper Clarke, Don Letts, The Egg, Glenn Matlock (The Sex Pistols) and Bandante (The Bad Seeds) as well as live sets from up and coming artists performing across a number of historical music venues and pubs located along Portobello Road, each one hosting a showcase of a different music style.
Some of the most exciting new discoveries for me definitely included folk band Jac who performed their original songs and classic covers-packed set at historical pub The KPH, soul artist Bee Bakare who took over the main stage at Acklam Village Market with her silky smooth voice and pop-ish vibes and Sisteray, a one of a kind four-piece indie rock band who literally tore down The Mau Mau Bar with a brilliant and energetic set.
Portobello Live!’s main strength has been again its unique mix of different music genres, as well as cabaret, art and spoken word. It is a true celebration of multiculturality and unity, bringing together a varied audience of every age and nationality. Worth mentioning is definitely its affordability, too. One wristband priced at 20 pounds guaranteed entry to all the venues during both days of running.
If you are in London on May Day Bank Holiday next year, make sure not to miss it.
