A festival set to raise £25,000 for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) is coming to Islington this Easter.
Yard Life, which takes place at Islington Metalworks on April 19 and 20, will see more than 60 acts from across the musical spectrum perform in the name of a good cause.
The two-day extravaganza was organised by Jen Lloyd, whose father Stephen died from MS in 2006 aged just 46.
Miss Lloyd, 29, who works for Universal Music, has organised a number of charity events for MS under the Yard Life name – but the festival is the culmination of more than three years of hard work.
She said: “This is the first time the festival has taken place and every single penny is going to MS Research in Bristol.
“We’ve got some really cool up and coming bands and DJs playing indie, disco, house and a little bit of electro.
“It’s really nice to have so many acts willing to perform for free because they believe in what we’re trying to do.”
The festival is about promoting new music, with Miss Lloyd using her contacts in the music industry to put together an impressive line-up including London four-piece Young Husband and Southend based pop band Youth Club.
But the real driving force behind it is Miss Lloyd’s determination to raise awareness and make a difference to those living with and alongside MS.
“My dad was diagnosed with secondary progressive MS when he was in his early 30s – I was just 10 and my brother was six.
“For his last five years dad couldn’t walk, speak, eat or do anything for himself.
“MS is such a horrid illness, especially the form that dad had, so to get something positive out of something so awful would be a great achievement.”
“It’s all about spreading the word and not just money, people don’t know that much about MS until somebody close to them has it.”
Other highlights at the festival include an array of interactive art installations, from hula hoops to giant sculptures, and a selection of short films on show.
Full weekend tickets are available from just £30 at yardlifefestival.co.uk and day tickets from just £15.
n The festival will also be having the last of its warm up events on March 30 at Lock Tavern in Camden, entry to which is free.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here