Organizers of the embattled music festival series Brockwell live broadcast in Brockwell Park in south London said their event will continue despite successful legal challenges to Lambes Parliament.
On the parks of Herne Hill, over the track, over the track, over the city splash and powerful Hopla, and at the Family Festival Brockwell Bounce and Lambeth Country Show, over the track, over the track, over the track, over the city splash and powerful Hopla.
A resident group protects Brockwell Park (PBP) against these incidents that require the shutdown of the park to the public for weeks. They see these events as “destroying the ecology of Brockwell Park”, including large populations and heavy equipment, as well as their “heritage and community value.”
The movement arrived at the High Court, which examined whether the Lambes Council correctly asserted that the use of the land was legal, as the festival lasted more than 28 days and therefore temporarily changed its use. The judge found it in favor of the PBP, saying the council's decision was "unreasonable".
The group's lawyers later called on Lambes Council to cancel the event, saying: "The event must be cancelled as there is no plan to license the Brockwell Live event. The website must now be provided to the public immediately and the fences and infrastructure must be cleared."
But Brockwell Live said all activities will continue. "Friday's High Court ruling dealt with specific legal points and whether administrative procedures were properly executed," the company said in a statement. "We want to make it clear that no incident will be cancelled due to the decision of the High Court. We take the management of Brockwell Park seriously. As we prepare to provide these well-loved culturally meaningful events, we remain fully committed to its care, maintenance and long-term well-being. With an almost complete setting, we look forward to opening up the Gates and the passionate holidays, festive occasions later this week.
The Lambes Council also said the incidents would continue, saying that the Summer Events Limited, behind Brockwell’s scene, “has applied for a new legal certificate from the Lambes Council, following a High Court decision last week on previous certificates. The Council urgently considered the application. None of the applications stopped the consideration of the incident.”
The PBP movement supported by cultural figures such as Mark Rylance has led to debates throughout London and live music.
Some support PBP, viewing it as an example of allowing the private sector to embezzle public assets. Others believe that the festival enriches the region’s culture as well as local businesses.
"From installment and lighting companies to local food and beverage suppliers, there will be huge economic losses" after the High Court's decision, adding that "these events are not just concerts - they are important social experiences that form part of the cultural structure of people's lives".
The dispute holds a potential battle against any activities planned for 2026. Rebekah Shaman, who led the PBP campaign, had previously said: “We hope to reach an agreement that the incident can still last but at a lower level and is more connected to the community and is related to the PBP statement, which said the group was “not against the incident” and had discussions with the constructive committee.
Although it is possible to move forward now, the live festival is facing another crisis with many artists withdrawing from the lineup.
The film festival’s promoter superstructure is owned by parent company KKR, an investment company owned in Israel. The campaigners wrote an open letter saying that “the festival is now related to human crimes of segregation and genocide” and called for “open distance KKR” on wild days. Artists and organizers such as Midland and SISU crew subsequently quit the festival after the field event and did not make a statement about the effect.
Field Day responded: "As a high-profile event that runs events in a global context, of course, our team recognizes the feelings of the artists involved and fans participating. The open letter itself says this is “not a live day choice” and we are sorry that some artists choose not to participate in this year's festival performances."
Mighty Hoopla, who is also run by the upper level construction, wrote his own statement: “The information has revealed KKR’s immoral investments, especially in Israeli companies in the Israeli Community, which is directly contrary to our position as a festival…We want to state our clear opposition to KKR’s immoral investments.”
The guardian has contacted a representative for comment from KKR.