The Bowl

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The Bowl is an area of Crystal Palace Park that is used for outside concerts. A grassy slope faces the sound stage designed by Ian Ritchie Architects.

As you would expect, the history of live music events in this area started with the opening of the magnificent Crystal Palace in 1856. Highlights included a concert to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Mozart (26th June 1856), the triennial Handel Festival (1856-1883), the first appearance of the National Choral Society with 1,000 voices (25th May 1861) and the first National Brass Band Festival (1900). Sadly the fire of 1936 put an end to the Crystal Palace and these musical extravaganzas. With the Crystal Palace gone, the area went into decline and it wasn't until 1961 that live music returned with the construction of the 'Concert Bowl'. Built by the then GLC, this outdoor arena with a temporary stage, fronted by the trademark lily filled lake became host to many world famous bands such as Bob Marley, The Beach Boys, Eric Clapton, Yes, Depeche Mode, The Cure and Level 42.

Events that took place included the UK's first one day rock festival 'The Crystal Palace Garden Party' (15th May 1971), a rain soaked day that ended tragically with the goldfish in the lake dying thanks to Pink Floyds massive sound system. One of the strangest concert line-ups was at the anti-heroin campaign concert in 1985, which saw acts such as Doctor & the Medic, Comsat Angels and Hawkwind alongside Dame Vera Lynne!

Amazingly and yet sadly, this 'temporary' stage had outlived not only its creators (GLC) but also several of the performers, and so it was time for a change. Bromley Council, custodians of Crystal Palace Park, secured funding from the National Lottery for a permanent concert platform as part of the areas regeneration project. Designed by Ian Ritchie Architects the new concert platform was opened in 1997 receiving awards for its modern design.

Since Evelyn Glennie (percussionist extrordinaire) opened the new concert platform, a regular series of popular classical concerts has evolved yet sadly little else in the way of live music... until recently! Local collective Sounds of the Suburbs is bringing back that festival feeling to what must be South London's premier outdoor music arena. In summer this not for profit organisation puts on a free festival of new music, featuring up and coming South London bands, artists and DJs.

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