Portobello Live! festival

Now in its second year, Portobello Live! returns to West London with an exciting mix of music, cabaret, spoken word, performance and art.

Held over May Day bank holiday, the festival features hot new bands and performers alongside rock royalty and special guests. The programme of events, playing out across the stages of Portobello's iconic pubs, clubs and venues, will provide fun and entertainment galore under one big umbrella. Music, film, poetry and art lovers will join with music industry and media professionals to enjoy the best of the West in a diverse programme of delight.

Building on the success of last year’s inaugural festival, Portobello Live! has secured leading artists including Dreadzone, The Members, The Woodentops, The Egg, Youth, Don Letts, Murray Lachlan Young, Rusty Egan, Noel Watson and Spizz Energi, with more to be announced.

Once again, the watchword of Portobello Live! is accessibility, with one affordable wristband allowing entry to more than 100 acts across twelve venues, over two days. Under 16s go free. Aimed at preserving Notting Hill's rich and diverse artistic heritage, the festival provides a deserved platform for the area’s past and present music and cultural history.

This year’s Portobello Live! opens with a huge group singalong. Audience members will be invited to join five local choirs in a celebration of punk rock’s 40th anniversary.

The spoken word programme will feature 60 Years of Howl, as a group reading of Alan Ginsberg’s classic beat poem by ‘man and machine’ will create a unique mix of classic reading and new media interpretation.

Also new this year are workshops offering steel pan tuition and masterclasses in sound sculpture and moving image, which will then be performed live at the festival.

Venues are all within walking distance and include Mode, Acklam Village, the Elgin, the Cow, Mau Mau, Dock Kitchen, the Paradise and the KPH, with in store performances at Rough Trade. New this year are stages commemorating local rock legend Alan Wass and People’s Sound reggae record store owner Daddy Vego, plus a stage featuring an under 18s competition and showcase.