The Forty Hall Farm event was cancelled last year but made a triumphant return in July, writes James Cracknell

The Woodland Stage featured blues acts throughout the day (credit Livestock)

Last month’s Livestock Festival was “one of the best ever” according to organisers, marking a triumphant return for the event after last year’s cancellation.

Despite the day-long festival starting with heavy rain and a lingering threat of thunderstorms, the sun eventually shone and large crowds turned out as “everything just came together”.

Last year’s event had to be cancelled because of low ticket sales, while the 2025 festival was also close to succumbing to the same fate – but a June deadline for minimum ticket sales was met, and the show went on. A massive promotion effort followed, with posters and billboards for Livestock plastered seemingly all over Enfield.

Regular Livestock attendees got everything they would have come to expect on Saturday, 19th July, with an eclectic range of musical acts – some local, some from further afield – centred around big-name covers bands such as Ukulele Ska Collective, Britpop Boys, and The Vipers on the main Feelgood Stage. In particular, the Oasis songs proved especially popular this year!

Inside the Black Barn, some original acts impressed – with the stand-out being Brooke Law’s stunning, soulful voice in the early evening. There was also the popular Woodland Stage, once again featuring a wide range of terrific blues acts. The family-themed Garden Stage, meanwhile, featured a brilliant musical comedy act in Enfield local Jay Foreman, who has previously played Edinburgh Fringe and is most well-known for his song that includes the name of every single London Underground station.

Commenting afterwards on how well the festival had gone, organiser Paul Dengel said: “After the tough decision to cancel last year, bringing Livestock back in 2025 felt like more of a challenge, and succeeding was more meaningful than ever. At a time when the live music sector is facing real challenges, we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who supported us and helped make this year’s festival happen.

“Livestock is an incredible project supported by a wide range of people from the local community, build crews and volunteers, phenomenal performers and the amazing audience who braved the threat of the weather and were rewarded with what we believe was one of the best Livestock festivals so far. We couldn’t have done it without them.

“Livestock 2025 felt like it had a special vibe, an energy, where everything just came together and reminded us why we do this, for the music, the community, and those magic moments you just can’t create anywhere else.”

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