Now in its sixth year, Kaleidoscope is cementing its reputation as one of London’s essential summer festivals.
For those who crave a proper dose of drum and bass, electro and old-school garage without the trek to the countryside, Alexandra Palace provides the perfect backdrop. Combining a heavyweight music line-up with family-friendly entertainment and some of the capital’s best skyline views, it’s a festival that feels distinctly London.
This year’s bill delivered a welcome hit of nostalgia, with a stellar line-up and standout performances from Roni Size, Groove Armada, Black Grape, MJ Cole and Rudimental. The crowd reflected the festival’s broad appeal: seasoned ravers reliving their glory days, often with children in tow, mingling effortlessly with Gen Z festivalgoers discovering the sounds of the ’90s and 2000s for the first time. It’s rare to find a festival that bridges generations so naturally, but Kaleidoscope makes it a whole vibe.
There was solid dancing to be found at both the Hilltop and Cloud 10 stages, where the crowd became a whirling – and yes, kaleidoscopic- vortex. Forgotten moves made a comeback, resurfacing through pure muscle memory and proving that some basslines never really leave you.
Away from the main stages, the interactive fringe programme offered yoga sessions, karaoke and comedy – including a rowdy set from Russell Kane. For the little ones, mural painting, silly science, bubbleology and Punch & Judy shows were the order of the day, and a thoughtful wristband system meant that any wayfaring nippers were quickly reunited with their parents.
For those seeking a breather, the VIP Phoenix Bar provided a welcome sanctuary and an ideal meeting point when the afternoon heat became too intense. With temperatures soaring into the thirties this year, shaded areas around the Hilltop stage and the cabanas near Cloud 10 were some of the real hotspots when it came to busting out those moves.
Truth be told, the organisers at Kaleidoscope really had anticipated every eventuality and covered every contingency, with the England vs Norway quarter-final up on the big screen, and an indoor food village for the perpetually peckish.
Perched high above the capital, Ally Pally never disappoints. My bet is that punters’ only regret is spending too much time taking selfies and not nearly enough capturing those sweeping panoramas.
kaleidoscope-festival.com
