GALA Festival has announced its full line up for the seventh instalment, taking place across the May Bank Holiday weekend (Friday May 26th – Sunday May 28th 2023). Returning to its home in Peckham Rye Park, GALA is building on the success of last year’s sold out event. Remaining completely independent, the festival continues to celebrate diversity within the dance music community, with a varied line-up spanning house, disco, jazz, techno, jungle and afrobeat.
For the first time this year, Queer rave leaders Big Dyke Energy will host their own stage and GALA will celebrate 20 years of the iconic South London music and arts venue, Corsica Studios as well as 25 years of Antal’s seminal Amsterdam record label, Rush Hour.
For the Friday line-up, GALA will again pay special attention to the best of live – London centric sounds. For the main stage programme, GALA has partnered with long-term collaborators, Rhythm Section – welcoming London Jazz leader Nubya Garcia and radical alt-pop crew, NiNE8 Collective to the lineup alongside Jordan Rakei, dreamcastmoe, George Riley and Romare. GALA’s much loved Pleasure Dome will channel the Carnival vibes with rising West London rapper, Jelani Blackman taking to the stage as well as some of the capital’s favourite DJs including Sherelle, Jamz Supernova b2b Tash LC, Felix Hall, Yung Singh and Jungle legend Congo Natty. For the first time – The Pickle Factory will take over the Patio stage and The South London creative collective BORN N BREAD will be back to take over the new Hennessy presents Cornerstone stage along with Giant Steps returning as stage hosts.
GALA’s traditional format resumes on Saturday – with an exclusive London festival performance from South London electronic duo, Overmono, with their biggest live show to date. The performance will come just two weeks following the release of their hotly awaited debut album, Good Lies, most of which was written just minutes away from Peckham Rye Park. The second day also features UK dance music’s brightest, Anz and OK Williams, early 90’s rave aficionado and Safe Trip label founder, Young Marco, and a special live performance from UK dance music royalty, The Orb. The Saturday programme will pay homage to the best of queer club culture as they welcome Big Dyke Energy as first time stage hosts, Body Movement Festival Founder, Saoirse as well as high energy specialists Byron Yeates & THC. Furthermore, South London’s renowned music venue Corsica Studios celebrates 20 years of the dance with an eclectic stage takeover welcoming the likes of Chilean mixtress, Paula Tape, fast-rising Melbourne selector, Jennifer Loveless and Germany’s beloved Move D. Meanwhile The Pickle Factory takeover will see Italy’s deep techno maestro close out the smoke-filled Patio stage.
For the Sunday programme, Horse Meat Disco make their anticipated return to the Pleasure Dome – as they take to the decks alongside queer party mainstays Josh Caffé, Gideön, Prosumer and Adonis Resident, Hannah Holland. The much-loved Amsterdam label, Rush Hour will celebrate their 25th anniversary with a stage take-over where they will welcome the fearless selector, Hunee and Mexican deep-digger, Coco Maria and Chicago royalty Mark Grusane. For the closing day, deep house pioneer Kerri Chandler leads a stellar main stage line up, Danilo Plessow (MCDE) will play with Jeremy Underground for a UK first, NYC duo Analog Soul make a rare London appearance plus the inimitable Mr Scruff will play back-to-back with one of South London’s finest, Charlie Dark. Furthermore, Rhythm Section founder, Bradley Zero returns to the Patio stage following last year’s shut down set.
GALA continues to build on celebrating local partners as they return to South London’s beloved Peckham Rye Park with a focus of creating an inclusive space that honours diversity through music. Extending their support from last year’s edition, GALA’s 2023 event will raise money for Southwark Day Centre for Asylum Seekers. They will also be conducting their sustainability report which will include the environmental and social performance of the 2023 event and priorities moving forward.
Tickets will go on sale HERE
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