The Bowl - Crystal Palace Park

Festival Location: London, England

Festival Type(s): Rock Festivals, Varied Music Festivals

The Bowl is the only large-scale event in South London that focuses on promoting bands from the local area to an audience of thousands. Held over one weekend since 1999, the festival increases its attractions year on year with free children's activities, workshops, stalls and catering.

The Bowl was first built by the then GLC in 1961. This outdoor arena with its temporary stage, fronted by the trademark lily filled lake became a major music venue and host to many world famous bands, such as Bob Marley, The Pixies, David Bowie, and Depeche Mode. In 1997, a permanent concert platform, designed by Ian Ritchie Architects was opened.

This annual event costs something in the region of £15,000 to put on and all monies raised are recycled back into the next. Funding for the event this year came solely from the Bridge House Trust. Previous funders include: Arts Council England, Broomleigh Housing Association, SRB, Sure Start, Children's Fund Local Network, Community Grant Awards, WKD, Stella Artois and Morgan's Spiced Rum.