Wireless festival chief: killjoys are trying to destroy us

Hundreds of gatecrashers stormed the fence at last year's festival
Matt Watts25 April 2016

The organiser of Wireless today hit back at “killjoys” who have launched a legal bid to block this summer’s festival.

Melvin Benn accused campaigners of “hijacking” problems that marred last summer’s festival — which saw hundreds of gatecrashers storm the perimeter fence — to call for a blanket ban on large-scale events in Finsbury Park.

The Friends of Finsbury Park have raised more than £8,000 to fund a High Court challenge to July’s three-day urban music bash, with acts including Calvin Harris, Kygo, Chase and Status, Jess Glynne, and Lady Leshurr.

They claim the festival, which attracts 50,000 revellers a day, has grown too big and leads to a third of the park being fenced off for three weeks at the height of summer.

The campaigners are seeking a court date for a judicial review before Wireless starts, or will apply for an injunction to stop it going ahead if a court date cannot be set in advance.

Mr Benn, chief executive of organiser Festival Republic, said: “This is one of the capital’s biggest cultural events which helps make London the greatest city on Earth.

"For an unelected group to try and stop it is hugely disappointing.

“They are trying to hijack the negative publicity from last year’s event to push through legal action for their own agenda which would lead to no festivals ever being allowed in the park.

“The campaigners will not be successful.

"They should save their money and work with us to ensure we put on the best possible festival we can for everyone this year.”

David Lammy has described the impact of the festival on the park as 'heartbreaking'
Friends of Finsbury Park

Mr Benn, who has previously run Glastonbury, Reading and Latitude, announced plans to increase security at this week’s Finsbury Park event — which he admitted was inadequate last year. Former police superintendents with experience of dealing with demonstrations will manage security teams around the perimeter.

Last year the fence was targeted after ticketless visitors saw it was understaffed. Footage emerged of a crowd of gatecrashers storming in while a lone police officer tried to hold them off. At least eight people were arrested over the course of the weekend.

Tom Palin, chairman of Friends of Finsbury Park and a former music producer who worked with the Spice Girls, said: “The security improvements do not make a difference.

“Last year’s Wireless attracted crowds too big for the park, causing massive disruption, damage, noise and anti-social behaviour in surrounding streets.

Stars like Rihanna have performed at the festival in previous years
Rex

"We are not against the festival, just the size and scale, which we say is unlawful. We are not trying to stop people having fun, just to limit the size of a festival that wrecks the park for everyone else at its most popular time of the year.”

Haringey council argues events such as Wireless helped pay for £400,000 of improvements to parks last year.

A spokesman said the “unacceptable scenes last year involved a minority of festival goers” and the council was “working closely with local people, police and organisers to ensure Wireless takes place safely".

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