Get Your Brits Out to Brockwell Park; A Wide Awake Recap
- HIDEOUS Magazine
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Words by Angelika May
Wide Awake’s fifth year certainly cemented the festival’s place as a key platform elevating and showcasing the immense talent of London’s grassroots and underground music scene. However, this year, there seemed to be an undeniably charged undercurrent beneath the surface.
Amidst the brilliant sear of the sun overhead, an uneasy tension lingered, weighted by global conflict and national unrest. This year, Wide Awake arrived with notable baggage that seemed to steer the festival into uncharted territory. Not only had the festival’s presence in Brockwell Park come under scrutiny after a court ruled that Lambeth Council had failed to follow proper procedures around event planning, but headliners Kneecap were also at the centre of political controversy.
The band faced backlash following their Coachella set, during which they voiced support for Palestine and condemned Israeli actions in Gaza. Since then, Mo Chara, one of the trio’s members, has been charged with a terrorism offence. Yet on Friday, Brockwell Park was awash with Palestinian and Irish flags, a vivid display of solidarity. The sense of unity was palpable, with the crowd continuing to call for the freedom of Palestine long after Kneecap had left the stage and their microphones were switched off. This spirit of support carried through to Jeremy Corbyn’s speech, during which he called for sanctions against Israel and condemned racism in all its forms.
Although this year’s festival was deeply political, the musical performances were nothing short of spectacular—raw, fresh, and vital. English Teacher’s phenomenal, intense set demonstrated precisely why they deserved the Mercury Prize. Meanwhile, CMAT charmed the crowd with a cheeky, playful performance alongside her new “Sexy CMAT Band.” At one point, she paused to laugh and reveal that they had to disable comments on a recent Instagram post because people were calling her a “fat ugly bitch” — which, of course, wasn’t true, since they are the “Sexy CMAT Band.” Her candidness made the audience blush and giggle, creating a carefree and giddy atmosphere among the crowd, who all joined in with the TikTok dance for “Take a Sexy Picture of Me.” If you don’t know the dance, get to know it.
Highly anticipated, Peaches delivered a thunderous performance on the Bad Vibes stage, declaring herself a progressive Jew and voicing her support for Palestine with unflinching clarity.
By the time Kneecap hit the stage, the energy was at fever pitch. That’s what made Kneecap feel like a fitting headline act, despite being a genre pivot from previous years. Their presence encapsulated the spirit of the entire day: loud, defiant, and emotionally charged. This was their first major UK show since the charges were announced, and it felt like witnessing a piece of history. It seemed like everyone knew this wasn’t just another festival, it was a statement.
Their mix of humour, politics, and gritty Irish-language rap is unlike anything else. Behind the balaclavas and rebellion is a real sense of artistry that often gets lost in the noise around them, even more so recently. Songs like “Rhino Ket” and “Get Your Brits Out” were performed with such intensity that I felt my head might literally fly off from all the head-banging.
At one point, Mo Chara joked about his upcoming court date and invited the crowd to show up with a “big bag of ketamine”—but behind the humour, the stakes felt serious. Beyond entertainment, their performance was a bold declaration of resistance.
But Wide Awake isn’t defined by its headliners alone. Across the park, the energy was wild and full of early-summer joy. Warmduscher delivered chaotic brilliance, keeping the weirdness alive. Getdown Services packed out the tiny Grove DIY Stage, arguably outgrowing it, and unfortunately couldn’t be properly showcased in the best light due to sound malfunctions on stage. Come on, Wide Awake—give the boys a chance! I bet the "choccy in their pocket” had melted waiting for their mics to be turned up.
What makes Wide Awake truly unique among day festivals is its unmistakable vibe. It’s not just another event checked off the list, it feels like the beginning of a movement. You notice it in the way the crowd throws themselves into the music, in how the stages are scattered like secret treasures throughout the park, and in the performers’ genuine enthusiasm to return, matching the audience’s excitement. It’s a place where the lines between political and personal blur—one moment you’re listening to a powerful speech on conflict, and the next, you’re lost in the groove of an obscure disco remix.
That’s what makes Wide Awake even more vital. It’s one of the few events left that provides space for unfiltered, alternative voices—artists on the rise, using the main stage to promote upcoming gigs at notable venues like The Shacklewell Arms, embracing radical expression, and showcasing music that truly means something to the wider community.
As Jeremy Corbyn reminded us in his speech: “If there are no music venues, then where will the artists of tomorrow play?”
