Bankside Open Spaces Festival - The Main Stage 2023

Head down to Flat Iron Square, Union Street SE1, on 10 June 2023 from 1pm to enjoy live music and dance on our Main Stage - from blues to jazz, from rock to funk, there’s a band of everyone at Bankside Open Spaces Festival!

Main Stage 2023 Line Up

12.45pm - Festival is officially opened by the Mexican Ambassador to Great Britain, Ambassador Josefa González-Blanco

Bankside Open Spaces Festival receives The Fiesta Latina Procession. The Procession will walk form Castle Square, Elephant and Castle, in celebration of the diversity and creativity of the Elephant and Castle community, which has a rich Latin American culture, and provides an opportunity for residents and visitors to come together to enjoy the heritage of the area.

1pm - Latin Fiesta @BOSFest23

Bankside Open Spaces Festival showcases talent from our local Latin American community as part of a Fiesta parading to BOSFest 2023 on the day!

1-1.15pm Peruvian Group Xpresion Inka

1.20-1:30pm Colombian Group Yuruparí

1:35-1:40pm Eirete Dance Group from Paraguay 

1:45-1:50pm Ecuadorian Dance Group

2pm- Soft Shell Crabs

Inspired by Talking Heads, David Bowie with an Ian Dury and the Blockheads spin, our trusty openers return to Bankside Open Spaces Festival led by our Chair of Trustees Tim Wood!

3pm - Art Terry & the Black Bohemians

Art Terry and the Black Bohemians play their own unique and delirious brand of arthouse funk. A singer and pianist, Art underpins deeply personal lyrics with dense melodic textures to create conceptual Black music. Listen here.

4pm - The Yes Mess

Formed by songwriter Danthedan - The Yes Mess is a rock and roll band that blends the standard bass, drums and guitar with savant accordion, and some dancing with flamingos. Check them our via their Bandcamp here.

5pm - Sister Cookie

From London via Lagos, charismatic chanteuse SISTER COOKIE and her band will take you on an eclectic excursion into the roots & fruits of black music. Take a look here.

6pm - Ese & The Vooduu People

Ese Okorodudu is founder and leader of the extended musical family that is Ese & The Vooduu People. Singer-songwriter Ese (vocals, guitar) is backed by a pool of some of the UK's best musicians. She's inspired by an eclectic selection of legends from Jimi Hendrix, Sly & The Family Stone and Led Zep to Dr. John, Prince and Skunk Anansie. Listen here.

7pm - Cosimo Matassa Project

London-based rhythm 'n' blues band paying homage to legendary New Orleans producer Cosimo Matassa and the artists who passed through his studios. Listen here.

8pm - The Brothers Ignatius 

Mostly original ska and rocksteady with much improvisation and the nuanced groove developed in late 50s/early 60s Jamaica by bands like The Skatalites. Check out their Bandcamp here.