Summer Soulstice 2024 was held this year on Saturday 15th June, a few days ahead of the Solar Solstice. Sadly, the weather did not live up to expectations for the time of year and intervals of sunshine were punctuated with some heavy showers. Despite this, the large crowd gathered at QE Memorial Playing Fields for Barnet’s own special celebration of Soul music, kept their spirits up and mostly had a very good time.
This hugely popular event, in memory of Andy Weekes and raising money for Cherry Lodge Cancer Care, has been held each year since 2007 (with virtual events replacing the live festival in 2020 and 2021). Cherry Lodge is immensely grateful to the Summer Soulstice crew for their loyal and generous support (with around £550,000 raised prior to this year). The 2024 total will be published here when we know it.
Appearing live on the 2024 Main Stage were 10-piece supergroup Brit Funk Association, British R&B legends Loose Ends, and singer/songwriter FiL Straughan, who all put in great performances to delight the crowd even in the rain. A wide selection of ‘Soul on a Summer’s Day’, to suit all tastes, was masterfully delivered by 30+ of the UK’s favourite DJs across the three music arenas (with the Connoisseurs’ and Club Tents particularly popular when it rained).
The event ran from 11am to 11pm and, as previously, there was plenty of entertainment laid on for children, a big range of delicious food and drinks on offer, and some very attractive stalls, including the always popular Cherry Lodge Cancer Care merchandise and information stall.
Special thanks are due this year to Tina and her team of volunteer helpers, who stayed in good spirits even when it rained and worked really hard on the gate, car park and CL stall. Thank you too to others who helped ahead of and after the festival. Finally, thank you to everyone who bought tickets and so helped Summer Soulstice raise money to help Cherry Lodge Cancer Care continue to provide its many information and support services completely free of charge for as long as they are needed.
Click on the small images below to see larger, complete photographs.
