Bowl Music Festival 2005
Two day open air free festival in Crystal Palace Park Bowl
(Photos/words © urban75, 2007)

Starting life in 1999 as a free music festival for the local community, The Bowl festival has grown into a two day event showcasing local bands and talent.

The event takes place on the site of the legendary Crystal Palace Garden Parties which ran from 1971 to 1980.

These attracted rock heavyweights like The Faces, Pink Floyd, Elton John, Fairport Convention and Yes (1971), the Beach Boys, Joe Cocker and Roxy Music (1972), Lou Reed (1973), Eric Clapton (1976) and Elvis Costello (1977).
See the full listing here: Bowl festies 71-80

Other famous acts to grace the Bowl include Bob Marley, Depeche Mode, The Cure, Level 42 and a bizarre line up for a 1985 anti-heroin campaign concert which saw Doctor & the Medics, Comsat Angels and Hawkwind sharing the stage with Dame Vera Lynne!

Bands all played on a 'temporary' stage built in 1961 that managed to outlive its creators (GLC) before being replaced by a dramatic, award-winning modern structure designed by Ian Ritchie Architects and opening in 1997.

The big acts may have gone, but The Bowl is still a great way to spend a weekend checking out new talent in beautiful surroundings - and after the event there's always the prospect of an after party in the fabulous Alma pub nearby.


Looking down towards the Bowl stage.


Band onstage.


Lily pond in front of the stage.




The dramatic metal stage.







Local boys Milk Kan give it large on stage. We liked them so much we booked them for the Offline Christmas Party in 2005.




Bugger. The weather doesn't look too good.






The rain starts to fall.


Taking cover.




After party at The Alma.



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