Photo: Press
Citadel first pitched camp in Hackney’s biggest field back in 2015. Originally set up to offer “something a little different” to the already packed summer festival scene, Citadel promises to serve up the ultimate sunny Sunday experience, a “sun-drenched utopia” according to their website.
That’s a mighty bold promise from a UK festival given the unpredictability of our climate. So what exactly does Citadel bring to the table? Upon entering the site we’re bombarded with the usual corporate sponsored stages, over priced food vans and face-glittering stations - and there’s even a £15 per day VIP toilet block for those who can’t last a day without the comforts of home. So far, so similar. But what about the clientele?
Well, there are families with newborn babies, troops of glitter-strewn tweens, the regular sunnies and cider crew and one young lad in a Napalm Death t-shirt who’s presumably here for Foals. It’s a real mixed bag as far as punters go.
And what about that lineup? Last year they managed to land Sigur Rós, which for a relative newcomer is an absolute result. This year’s headliners are alt-indie stalwarts Foals with Bonobo and Laura Marling also making appearances on the mainstage.
While there’s nothing wrong with a varied schedule of artists, successful one-day festivals have tended to establish their foothold by cornering a genre; Field Day has a firm grip on the alternative scene and Lovebox embraces all things electro pop. But it’s not really clear what musical territory Citadel is trying to ring fence. In fact, it seems like music isn’t really their USP at all. There’s just so much going on here besides the music - electro yoga, roller rink, science lectures, cake decorating - that it feels like this is more of an alternative village fête.
There are some great moments though; Twin Peaks’ rambunctious set complete with flying bog rolls, Margaret Glaspy’s rasping low-fi grunge, Bonobo’s vast instrumental soundscapes and a satisfying if somewhat phoned-in performance from Foals. Michael Kiwanuka pulled a huge crowd for his soaring soulful ballads and The Bandstand seemed to be churning out undeniable vibes all day long. The Sunday Papers Live tent was an intellectual haven from the brashness of the branded stages and hosted some seriously inspiring speakers including Channel 4’s Lindsey Hilsum.
One day Sunday festivals will always struggle to raise the biggest wave of weekend euphoria but it seems like Citadel is happy leaning into that more laid back approach.
And while it’s nice to potter round the site drifting between the mish mash of attractions, you can’t help feel that the whole thing is a bit tacked together and lacking any tangible identity. But in a field of carefully curated festivals, perhaps what the world needs is something a bit, well, vague and vanilla that allows everyone to have a swell Sunday without sacrificing your Monday.
We’ll take a Monday morning meltdown any time, but fair play to Citadel for trying to cater to the more conscientious festival goer.
