The South Facing Festival Experience, featuring Summer Dayes and The Originals
Courtesy of Jass Mensah
19th August 2024
By Bethan Dadson
As a South London native, I was thrilled to experience the South Facing Festival series. Hosted in Crystal Palace Park, this festival brought a month-long lineup of performances from music legends across genres. From Jamaican stars like Popcaan, Spice, and Damian Marley to Hip-Hop icons such as The Roots and South African Amapiano masters Major League DJz, there was something for everyone. I had the privilege to attend two weekends in a row, and with it being only a 15 minute walk from my house, you just know I HAD to be in attendance.
Courtesy of Bethan Dadson
Sunday, 4th August: Yussef Dayes Presents: Summer Dayes
The lineup for this event was nothing short of extraordinary. Upon arrival, we were greeted by Venna’s soulful melodies blended with hip-hop influences, played through his saxophone. This was my second time seeing him live this year, and he did not disappoint. Next up was Jordan Ward, whose music combines soulful grooves, catchy hooks, and experimental elements for a refreshingly eclectic sound.
I was particularly excited to see Charlotte Day Wilson, who has collaborated with two of my favourite artists, Daniel Caesar and Kaytranada.Hearing her lyrical talent and smooth vocals live is what made me a fan that day. Followed by a vibey set by Sango, whom I had seen live before, transported me to Brazil with his Baile Funk basslines and electronic synths.
Greentea Peng, another favourite of mine, has released a lot more music since the last time I saw her live. Her performance of "Hu Man" with a live band was transcendent, taking the experience to a whole new level of perfection.
Courtesy of Bethan Dadson
The penultimate act was Masego, an artist I’ve wanted to see for years. He performed so many tracks from his album Lady Lady, which I had on repeat for MONTHS when it first came out in 2018. It was a nostalgic treat to finally see him live.
The headliner, Yussef Dayes, was the perfect finale. The award-winning drummer captivated the audience with his technical skill, and the addition of Venna and a harpist made the performance unforgettable. Yussef’s drumming was awe-inspiring and left me in wonder for the rest of the night.
This festival was one of my all-time favourites. With fantastic food, great company, and incredible music, I highly recommend catching these artists live, especially if you appreciate soulful, jazzy tunes. As a South Londoner, I was especially proud to see local talents like Venna, Greentea Peng, and Yussef Dayes shine on stage. and I can’t wait to see what’s next for them!
Courtesy of Bethan Dadson
Sunday, 11th August: The Originals
The Originals offered a completely different experience from the previous week’s event. It was all about dancing and having fun with friends. Despite the 27-degree Celsius heat, the day was filled with back-to-back DJ sets from the collective, covering a wide range of house music styles—old and new.
The variety of house music, from funky house to deep house, techno house, amapiano, Afro house, grime, jungle, and garage, meant there was something for everyone. It was beautiful to see people of all ages enjoying music together, with younger attendees discovering classics from the older generation.
Courtesy of Bethan Dadson
The emcees kept the crowd energised as we danced the night away. Overall, it was an incredible experience that has me excited for the rest of Summer 2024. South Facing Festival, you owe me nothing!
Courtesy of Bethan Dadson
Courtesy of Bethan Dadson