British Sea Power, Fenech-Soler, Foamo and Get Cape Wear Cape Fly lead a fantastic sixth year for this ethical South London Festival.
In 2006 Lee Denny’s parents went away on holiday with one instuction for their darling child: ‘No house parties.’ So he hosted a musical festival in his back garden instead – and LeeFest was born. Since then, the festival has grown, moved out of his back garden, and measures it’s success on the number of portaloos present at the festival: 0 in 2006, 1 in ’07, 6 in ’08, 14 in ’09, and a record 21 portaloos in 2010, where the festival saw it’s capacity swell to 2000 (having long since migrated from the Denny family garden).
Bands previously to have played the festival include Futureheads, DoesItOffendYouYeah?, Star Smith and A1 Bassline, and this year presents its best lineup yet: Friday night headliners are Fenech-Soler, Saturday night headliners are the phenomenal British Sea Power, and the rest of the weekend features a myrid of artists including Foamo, Get Cape Wear Cape Fly, Young Knives and Dutch Uncles.
Brighton’s British Sea Power released their fourth studio album Valhalla Dancehall in January of this year to widespread acclaim, and continue to be an incredible experience live. Fenech-Soler released their eponymous debut album late last year, and were nominated for the 10th Annual Independent Music Awards for the track ‘Lies’.
Importantly Leefest operates as a non-profit festival. To safeguard the integrity of the event, profits are split equally between reinvesting in the event for future years, and a chosen charity each year, which this year is Kids Company Charity. LeeFest says of the charity:
They are an amazing organisation based in central London that provides practical, emotional and educational support to vulnerable inner-city children and young people. They operate a number of centres and services providing much needed support and care to over 13,500 children and young people across the capital. Most of these children have experienced severe trauma in their lives and live in severe deprivation, without an adult to guide them, care for them and keep them safe.
Leefest 2011 takes place at Highams Hill Farm, Kent, CR6 9QP on 12th and 13th August, with weekend tickets including camping available at £55, day tickets starting at £30, and children under 10 get in free.
