As a Mighty Hoopla fan I was excited to get the chance to attend again this year, and it absolutely did not disappoint. With my ticket and app downloaded and clashfinder highlighted (perhaps a tad optimistically), and having heard tales of mud-drenched Brockwell Park from earlier in the week, I decide to sacrifice fashion for some exceedingly sensible walking boots. In my defence they do have a bit of pink, coordinating well with my Miss Piggy T-shirt but probably clashing horribly with the bright red lippy. Being the fantastically inclusive and fabulous Hoopla though, I’m secure in the knowledge that literally nobody will care.
Mighty Hoopla 2024
Once through the gate it becomes clear the ground has dried up. The sun is shining and, as expected, the outfits are the first thing to jump out – even on the train from Blackfriars it’s amusing to see the ‘normos’ mixing on the platform with all the gorgeous boys, girls and everything in-between in hot pants, feathers, thongs, jeans, crop tops, cowboy hats and ALL the glitter. It’s hard to describe in words how fabulously dressed the average attendee is at Hoopla – literally anything goes and prudes need not apply!
My plan is to cover as many acts as possible – starting with Shaznay Lewis (formerly of iconic 90s girl group All Saints) on the Hayu stage. On my way there, though, I catch a bit of Cat Burns, who I know nothing about but grabs my attention with her great voice and energy, covering the somewhat unlikely Teenage Dirtbag by Wheatus. It’s a great, pretty faithful rendition and goes down a storm with the main stage crowd. She is clearly loving the occasion, announcing afterwards “I bet you didn’t expect that!” – will definitely be watching out for her in future.
Cat Burns @ Mighty Hoopla 2024
Shaznay is halfway through her set when I arrive and I’ve timed it well, catching Black Coffee from 2000’s Saints And Sinners album before her new solo release Got To Let Go. It’s fun, reminiscent of her former girl group and demonstrates that she still has that excellent, soulful voice. Next up is her recent collaboration Good Mourning with special guest Shola Ama – it’s great and the crowd are enjoying it. But she knows what the elder millennials are here for and gives us what we want – Never Ever still sounds amazing even 27 (twenty seven?!) years later. It’s a singalong party at the Hayu stage right now.
Shaznay Lewis @ Mighty Hoopla 2024
Ending on biggest hit Pure Shores, you can spot the over-35s who know every word but literally everyone is swaying along, loving this poptastic show in the sunshine. Shaznay may have been away for most of the last 20 years (she tells us that this is her first ever festival show) but on this evidence she is very much back in business.
Shaznay Lewis @ Mighty Hoopla 2024
As soon as Shaznay finishes I head over to the main stage to catch the extravagantly-coated Alison Goldfrapp. She struts the stage like a disco peacock, kicking things off with the dreamy pop of Love Invention, the eponymous title track from her 2023 debut solo album.
Alison Goldfrapp @ Mighty Hoopla 2024
Next is a dip into Goldfrapp’s 2005 album Supernature as those distinctive opening synths herald big hit Number 1. It’s a great start, giving me chilled Ibiza vibes, and she’s pulled a big crowd who seem to be feeling the same way. Effortlessly cool, she returns to newer solo material with In Electric Blue before Ride A White Horse gets the crowd going.
Alison Goldfrapp @ Mighty Hoopla 2024
Reluctantly, it’s time for me to leave as next on my must-see list are House Gospel Choir, back on the Hayu Stage. I’m so excited for this – they always bring such joy and convert new fans every time I’ve seen them and today is no exception. With Alison Goldfrapp drawing many to the main stage, it’s an easy walk down to the front, where the party has already started.
House Gospel Choir @ Mighty Hoopla 2024
Around 20 choir members dressed in white take us through a barrage of 90s house classics, expertly mashing up multiple tracks and adding their own gospel twist to each. Lead vocals are shared between numerous singers and everyone gets their chance to shine. The crowd are LIVING and it’s getting busier by the minute – looking around me I can see the field has filled up massively, House Gospel Choir drawing thousands to watch them with their sheer joie de vivre and musicianship.
House Gospel Choir @ Mighty Hoopla 2024
The grand finale is an extended version of Everybody’s Free – starting off as a traditional choral arrangement, flags of Palestine are displayed in a show of solidarity with the occupied nation. It’s a moving moment. The song appears to finish but they’ve saved a surprise, as joining them onstage is Rozalla to pick up lead vocals on her smash hit. There’s a slight technical hitch as her mic isn’t on, but we’re carried along by her energy anyway before she’s handed a replacement for the chorus. Altogether, a triumph.
House Gospel Choir @ Mighty Hoopla 2024
Riding a feel-good wave, I pop across site to the Pleasure Palace to catch a bit of Guilty Pleasures’ ‘Minogue Madness’. Which is, essentially, Kylie tunes being played in a packed tent, with images of the Australian pop princess projected onto a large screen onstage. I hang around for a couple of tracks but am keen to see some more live music and hotfoot it over to The Bump to try and catch a bit of Gala. And as luck would have it, I’ve timed it perfectly – a minute or two after I’ve headed into the tent we hear the unmistakable opening strains of her enormo-hit Freed From Desire. The tent is bouncing, everyone dancing and pogo-ing with abandon. Smashed it!
Time for a quick drinks pitstop – with loads of bars across the festival site you’re never queuing more than 30 seconds for a drink, although more draught options would definitely be appreciated as £6.50 for a small can of cider is on the painful side. Wine and cocktail lovers are well served though. Hungry now, I opt for the nearest food stall, a jerk chicken place, as it has a small queue. I decide on quick carbs and order ‘salt and pepper chips’ for a mere £7 – imagine my disappointment on being handed a tiny tray of plain chips with a sprinkle of chili flakes. The only downside of the day. I hope their chicken was better.
Anyway, I’ve filled a hole and also managed to watch 15 minutes of Louise on the Hayu stage. It’s enjoyable enough, but I’m distracted by the sad chips and can’t remember what she played.
Louise @ Mighty Hoopla 2024
She does bring out former Eternal bandmate Kéllé Bryan for their hit So Good which goes down well, followed by her cover of Stealers Wheel 1973 classic Stuck In The Middle With You. Keen to get a good spot for Rita Ora, I leave just as Louise is debuting new song Get Into It.
Live review of Mighty Hoopla Festival 2024 by Sarah Kavanagh on 2nd June 2024, photography by Kalpesh Patel
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