Venue’s eclectic monthly gigs and summer festival make it one of the best places for live music in Enfield, writes Andrew Warshaw

The Blues Chapter performing at the Black Barn in November (credit Joe Dengel)

Livestock, Enfield’s annual community-organised, not-for-profit music festival, takes place this year on 27^th July in the enchanting and picturesque setting of Forty Hall Farm.

The event, now in its eighth year, began as a small street party, when residents of Goat Lane built a stage at the end of their street for local musicians, and has since burgeoned into north London’s most eagerly-awaited musical extravaganza.

Last year’s Livestock attracted a record 2,600 revellers and the festival will again feature more than 20 high-calibre acts across three stages. The line-up will be announced in the coming weeks with a number of mouth-watering acts being planned; some of them returning from last year, others new to the festival. ‘Early bird’ tickets are already on sale.

Being very much a community event, Livestock will once again donate part of its takings to local charities. The rest of the proceeds go to the festival’s monthly spin-off, Music from the Black Barn, held on every second Saturday at the same venue.

Established four years ago, Music from the Black Barn takes place in a converted farmyard barn and has developed into the most intimate and atmospheric venue in the borough, complete with licensed bar provided by Phoenix Belles.

The rationale is to showcase a mix of well-established and up-and-coming acts. Next up on 9^th February is California Screaming, making a welcome return and featuring some of the most talented and experienced session musicians in the business who, between them, have played with the likes of Rod Stewart, Sir Tom Jones, Bryan Ferry, Belinda Carlisle, Madness, Marc Almond, and Lily Allen. Expect to hear an eclectic mix of expertly crafted covers; everything from Led Zeppelin to Free, Tom Petty and Foo Fighters.

While the 9th March line-up was yet to be finalised as the Dispatch went to press, 13th April promises to be the most super-charged night in the venue’s four-year history with the appearance of Dr and the Medics, best known for their 1980s number one hit, Spirit in the Sky, which sold over 24 million copies worldwide. Despite a few changes of personnel over the years, they are still recognised as one of the most flamboyant and exciting acts on the circuit with a mix of glam-rock, new wave and pop rock. Tickets for this unmissable event will go on sale soon.

Tickets for both Livestock 2019 and the monthly Music from the Black Barn gigs are available to buy now:
Facebook /LivestockMusicFestivalUK
Instagram @livestockmusicfestival
Visit livestockuk.com

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