2017 marked the first year of hospitality tickets for the chilled-out food and music festival in south-east London
Words
Lizzie Frainier
If you’re searching for an easy-going option for entertaining clients during the summer season, On Blackheath hits the nail on the head. Found in the leafy Blackheath neighbourhood on a vast stretch of green, this festival feels more like a glorified village fete with the added bonus of big names performing and top chefs demonstrating on site.
We were excited to hear hospitality tickets would be available for the first time this year, but found the team were edging their way slowly into the this sort of offering. The VIP ticket bracket included access to a guest area with a separate bar and toilet, two drinks tokens per person, and a dedicated entrance for easier access.
Food is as big a part of the two-day event as the music. Over in the Food Village, we settled in at the chef demo stage to watch as
Masterchef: The Professionals winner Gary Maclean butchered a roe deer. Then it was straight to the pop-up trucks to choose some lunch – some seriously sticky hot wings from Wingmans came out on top. Those that arrived early in the day could sign up for a free cookery class with
Masterchef finalists Saira Hamilton and Juanita Hennessey. It comes as little surprise that these all filled up quickly.
Headline acts included The Libertines, Jake Bugg, and Travis – who played their 1999 hit album The Man Who in its entirety. One of the best performances of the Saturday had to be the energetic DJ set from Basement Jaxx, who were only scheduled in last minute when De La Soul got stuck across the pond because of Hurricane Irma.
With a dedicated area for kids too (picture storytelling stages and an activity zone for crafts), we’re sure that gifting tickets to clients with families would go down a treat. It’s certainly an event that everyone can enjoy– whatever their age.
You can also check out some of our other reviews from the best festivals for hospitality this summer. For jazz there’s Love Supreme, for champagne fanatics there’s Krug Festival, and for rock there’s Download.