You did it!
Update: Following the hugely successful #BackTheBowl crowdfunding campaign, which raised over £65,000 thanks to individual pledges of more than 1,000 people and the generous support of the Mayor of London, the new stage surface was installed in July 2022. This marks the end of the first phase of our project to revive Crystal Palace Bowl, with the next phase aiming to modernise the backstage area and improve access to the venue.
Setting the Scene.
Learn more about the remarkable history of live music at Crystal Palace, the sculptural Concert Bowl stage and our plans for it’s future, in this new short film for Open House London, directed by Jim Stephenson.
Crystal Palace Bowl is an iconic South London venue, with award winning architecture and over 60 years of live music heritage.
Image © CP Park Photographer
Rod Stewart and The Faces, 1971
Image © Michael Putland
Established in 1961, the Bowl and its famous ‘Garden Party’ events have played host to some of the most eclectic acts in British festival history. From prog to punk, rock to reggae, pop to the proms.
Including: Pink Floyd, Bob Marley, Elton John, The Beach Boys, Eric Clapton, Lou Reed, The Cure, Roxy Music, Santana, Melanie, Yes, Pixies, Curtis Mayfield, The Faces, Jimmy Cliff, James Taylor, Gil Scot Heron, Ian Dury, Elvis Costello, Andy Williams, Desmond Dekker, Nigel Kennedy, Vera Lynn and many more.
“A sleeping giant among the capital’s open air venues”
The Stage Magazine
“The best outdoor venue in London, magical. It was special back then and could be even more special now”
Rick Wakeman, Musician
Live, from the Palace!
Check out our Spotify playlist, with highlights, hits and deep-cuts from over half a century of live music at Crystal Palace.
Jimmy Cliff, 1984
Image © Masataka Ishida