From The Archives: 18 Years of Field Day

For the past 18 years, Field Day has mirrored London’s shifting music culture, from the indie sleaze days of the early 2010s to the electronic culture of the 2020s. Before we keep pushing forward, let’s take a look back through the archives.

2007-2009

Debuting in 2007, Field Day was the brainchild of some of London’s best alternative promoters, Eat Your Own Ears, Adventures In The Beetroot Field, Bugged Out!, Homefires and Bloggers Delight. 

Field Day had all the charm of a village fete, combining classic activities like tug of war and welly throwing with huge names such as Foals, Four Tet, Florence of the Machine, Skream, The Temper Trap and more. 

2010-2013

By the early 2010s, Field Day had become synonymous with imaginative and progressive programming, establishing itself as the place to experience the most cutting-edge bands and DJs in London. Always ahead of the times, Field Day’s programming reflected the rising indie scene, pulling in names like Tame Impala, Marina and the Diamonds, Blood Orange, Grimes, Solange and Mazzy Star.

2014-2015

Heading into 2014, Field Day had solidified itself as a huge name in the London festival circuit, whilst still retaining the village fete charm it debuted with back in 2007. Over these two years, our lineup featured artists such as Metronomy, FKA Twigs, Mac DeMarco, SOPHIE, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard and Aphex Twin.

2016-2017

2016 marked Field Day’s 10th year as London’s premium purveyor of all things musically magnificent, legendary and aspiring.

10 years in, Field Day never lost sight of what made it unique: impeccably curated music at the heart of everything. Continuing this ethos into its second decade, Field Day announced PJ Harvey and James Blake as their 2016 headliners, as well as featuring names such as Little Simz, Loyle Carner, and Rejjie Snow.

Something was in the air in 2017 as we strayed from the norm and created our very memorable and, dare we say, iconic cat lineup posters. Fun fact: the cats featured in this lineup belong to our very own Field Day audience, as we encouraged people to send in photos of their feline friends, a testament to the weird and wonderful community we had cultivated over the last decade.

2018-2020 

Field Day’s programming during these years shifted towards a more electronic and alt-R&B/hip-hop lineup, pulling in names such as Erykah Badu, Loyle Carner, Sudan Archives, AJ Tracey, DJ Seinfeld, Ross From Friends, Floating Points and more.

In 2019, we relocated once again to Drumsheds, opening up a new chapter for Field Day as we secured a late license running until 3 AM, giving the electronic lineup a space to really thrive with state-of-the-art production and the loudest festival soundsystem in London. 

Then things paused for a year…

2021-2024

Like many of us during the pandemic, Field Day experienced a metamorphosis, reinventing itself and refocusing its programming on electronic music.

For the next three years, Field Day remained in Victoria Park, with a new look but the same ethos as always - to provide exceptional programming.

Showcasing the very best of London’s electronic club culture, featuring names like The Chemical Brothers, Floating Points, Overmono, Bicep, Charlotte De Witte, Brutalismus 3000, HorsegiirL, Daniel Avery, Kraftwerk and more, Field Day solidified its title as London’s premier electronic festival.

2025

Field Day 2025 marked a new chapter as the festival relocated to Brockwell Park. Led by internationally acclaimed DJ Peggy Gou, Field Day delivered an unforgettable debut at their new home. 

Same pulse, new era.

2026 and beyond

Since 2007, Field Day has been pushing boundaries and shaping trends with daring and eclectic lineups. Across 18 years of change and growth, the core ethos of Field Day remained constant, creating a space for escape, discovery and connection. Now we’re carrying on that legacy and taking it with us into our next era. 

Field Day 2026. The story continues…