New London festival LIDO launching at Victoria Park next year

A new two-day music festival is set to arrive at East London's Victoria Park in June 2025.

With the full line-up and programme yet to be announced, LIDO festival promises to “showcase the most current headliners”, as well as working with local music school, East London Arts and Music, to platform emerging talent, according to a press release.

News of the festival comes after its operator AEG (the same operator behind All Points East), applied for a three-year extension on its licence to throw events in Victoria Park last year.

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The plans proposed that AEG be granted a licence to occupy the park between April and September in 2024, 2025 and 2026, specifically with a two-day event in May or June of 2024 and subsequently a double weekend in 2025 and 2026.

In order for the plans to be approved, Tower Hamlets Council recommended the company pay attention to a list of factors including the upkeep of Victoria Park, boosting the local economy and providing opportunities for residents.

The council was under pressure from local people who had expressed concerns about an increased size and frequency of events causing disruption to both park users and residents.

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A day before the extended licence plans were set to be decided on, Mixmag spoke to the council, who expressed its commitment to “listening to local people and local organisations to ensure that any disruption caused by events is kept to an absolute minimum.”

A spokesperson added: “The proposed changes would allow for a wider range of events to be considered by the council and boost local businesses and provide a wider range of things for local people to do and enjoy in the park.”

Announcing the festival today (October 24), AEG has said it will “engage local suppliers, employ local staff, and boost local spending on accommodation, food, and entertainment.”

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It hopes that LIDO will follow in the footsteps of All Points East, which, according to a press release, contributes £45 million to the local economy each year.

There will also be a community-centred aspect to the festival, with art, culture and well-being activities held during the week. The festival says that these, too, will provide opportunities for local people to offer their skills.

In terms of sustainability, AEG has guaranteed it will “implement and then continually develop sustainable policies and processes”, mentioning waste management, power supply, and food as key areas of focus.

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While the festival's musical offering has not been revealed, Jim King, CEO of European Festivals at AEG, says: “Lido Festival allows us to push our ambitions further in working with young people within the industry and those who aspire to be. Most excitingly, this centres about a new generation of artists, whether they’re headlining or performing for the first time.”

Line-up and ticket information is coming soon, sign up here for updates.

Meena Sears is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow her on Instagram