Organizers of the contentious Brockwell Live music festival series, hosted in Brockwell Park in south London, have announced that the events will proceed despite a favorable court ruling for a local campaign group against Lambeth Council.

Brockwell Park in Herne Hill accommodates tens of thousands of attendees at popular festivals including Wide Awake, Field Day, Cross the Tracks, City Splash, Mighty Hoopla, and family-friendly events like Brockwell Bounce and the Lambeth Country Show.

The residents’ association Protect Brockwell Park (PBP) opposed the festivals, highlighting that their setup necessitates the temporary closure of parts of the park for weeks. They contended that the events were detrimental to the park’s ecology, particularly affecting the grasslands due to significant crowds and heavy machinery, as well as harming its cultural and community significance.

The issue escalated to the High Court, which evaluated whether Lambeth Council had acted within its rights to deem the land’s usage lawful, especially since the festivals’ 37-day duration surpassed the maximum of 28 days permitted for a temporary change of use. The judge ruled in favor of PBP, deeming the council’s decision “irrational.”

Following the ruling, PBP’s lawyers urged Lambeth Council to cancel the events, stating: “Given that there is no planning approval for the Brockwell Live event, it must be called off. The area should be promptly cleared for public access and restored to its unencumbered state.”

Nevertheless, Brockwell Live remains steadfast in its intention to go forward with all scheduled events. In a statement, the organizers clarified, “The High Court’s decision addressed a specific legal framework surrounding administrative processes. We wish to emphasize that none of our events will be canceled as a result of this ruling. We are committed to the stewardship of Brockwell Park, and as we finalize preparations for these cherished cultural gatherings, we remain dedicated to the park’s maintenance and future health. With setup nearly complete, we eagerly anticipate opening our doors to festival attendees later this week.”

Lambeth Council echoed this sentiment, announcing that Summer Events Limited, the entity behind Brockwell Live, has submitted a new application for a certificate of lawfulness covering 24 days in light of the court’s ruling on the original certificate. The council is currently reviewing this application, which will not impede the occurrence of the events.

The PBP initiative, which garnered support from notable cultural figures like Mark Rylance, has ignited significant discussions throughout London and the live music sector.

Supporters of PBP argue that these incidents represent an instance of private interests encroaching upon a public space. Conversely, others believe that the festivals contribute positively to the local culture and economy.

In the aftermath of the court ruling, Michael Kill, chief of the Night Time Industries Association, remarked that numerous sectors, from staging and lighting services to local food vendors, would endure considerable financial repercussions, emphasizing that these events are crucial social occasions woven into the cultural tapestry of communities.

The dispute brings to light the potential for conflict regarding any activities planned for 2026. Rebekah Shaman, who spearheaded the PBP initiative, previously expressed a desire to negotiate a resolution enabling continued events at a reduced scale, with a stronger focus on community engagement. A statement from PBP indicated that the group is “not opposed to events” and hopes for productive dialogue with Lambeth Council moving forward.

While Field Day festival is set to occur, it is grappling with its own separate challenges as several artists have withdrawn from its lineup.

Superstruct, the promoter of Field Day, is owned by KKR, an investment firm with interests in Israel. Campaigners issued an open letter asserting that the festival is “now implicated in the crimes against humanity of apartheid and genocide,” urging Field Day to “publicly dissociate itself from KKR.” Following Field Day’s failure to issue a response, artists and organizers, including Midland and Sisu Crew, subsequently withdrew from the festival.

Field Day has issued a response, stating, “As a prominent event operating in a global context, we fully acknowledge the strong sentiments of both participating artists and attending fans. The open letter itself specifies that the circumstances are ‘not the choice of Field Day,’ and we regret that some artists have opted out of this year’s festival.”

Mighty Hoopla, also managed by Superstruct, released a statement addressing the situation, noting, “New information regarding KKR’s unethical investments, particularly in companies complicit with Israel, has come to our attention, contradicting the values we represent as a festival … We firmly oppose KKR’s unethical investments.”

The Guardian has reached out to representatives of KKR for comment.