South London’s GALA festival is back for its 9th edition across the Bank Holiday weekend from May 24-26 at Peckham Rye Park. Since its inauguration in 2016, the event has become beloved amongst London ravers and annually marks the start of festival season. Originating from humble beginnings in Brockwell park as a purely electronic music day event, GALA has now expanded its programme to a multi-genre showcase across three days with a growing worldwide reputation. This year also see’s the festival partner with London institutions NTS Radio, Adonis, and Deviation across its five stages.
With each year that passes GALA manages to deliver stellar line-ups that somehow surpass the previous year. 2024 yet again pushes the boundaries of what we’ve come to expect from the event which covers the likes of disco, jungle and techno. In a nod to the financially straining times we’re living in, the event has also decided to freeze drink prices, in a bid to relieve any stress upon revellers when they enter the park. With a bit of something for everyone, GALA looks set to be another euphoric weekend, with so many amazing artists on the bill, we’ve chosen five artists not to miss below.
John Talabot
John Talabot is a wizard behind the decks. He’s the sort of rare DJ where Shazam becomes useless thanks to his ability to mix multiple songs consistently throughout. That merging and layering of sounds – from psychedelic techno to acid – sends heads spinning and the Spaniard is guaranteed to take you on a journey. After smashing his set at GALA’s sister event Rally last year, he now makes his debut at the bank holiday extravaganza with a set at the Patio on Saturday.
Eris Drew B2B Octa Octa
Eris Drew and Octa Octa have built quite the reputation for their wild B2B sets. The pair run the T4T LUV NRG label and are also loving partners. That creates for sensational chemistry behind the decks, where you can tell they truly enjoy playing together and that joy transcends to the dance floor. Prepare for a vinyl masterclass that delves into chicago house, rave and beyond. The pair play at the Pleasure Dome on Saturday.
Roi Perez
Saturday’s Pleasure Dome stage partner Adonis brings a key figure of its queer collective to GALA with Roi Perez taking to the decks. The Berlin based DJ’s Hi-energy style unites dance floors in a true sweat fest. Feel good from start to finish, Perez has the ability to make a dance floor smile with his ecstatic selections. One of the most unique DJ’s on the lineup playing at arguably the festival’s most celebrated stage is one not to miss.
Chaos In The CBD
The New Zealand sibling duo of Ben and Louis Helliker-Hales have become certified party starters under their Chaos In The CBD alias. Known for their hard hitting DJ sets that draw on elements of old school rave and trance, the artists never disappoint. You can catch them playing the Patio stage as well as the after party at The Carpet Shop on Friday.
DJ Paulette B2B Prosumer
DJ Paulette built a reputation as a quality selector at Manchester’s legendary Hacienda nightclub throughout the nineties. Now an author, a radio presenter and a career in music that’s spanned three decades, DJ Paulette knows how to rock a crowd. Playing alongside her is Prosumer, a fellow staple in the North’s dance scene, expect disco, hi-energy and some quality remixes. You can catch the duo play at the Pleasure Dome on Sunday.
Follow GALA Festival on Instagram
Get your GALA Festival tickets here: thisisgala.co.uk
Words: Jake Wright
Photography: Frankie Casillo