Croydon says farewell to its tenure as London's Borough of Culture this weekend, with a spectacular light show and the 'world's smallest night club'.
Launching as Borough of Culture in April 2023, Croydon has hosted a slew of events over the last year: tours of the town's 1960s high rises from the 20th Century Society; a performance from the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine; the unveiling of a musical heritage trail across the borough; a festival of Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists... the list goes on and on. It's been quite the cultural ride.
For its mic-drop, the borough will host a three-day spectacular of events flaunting the borough's cultural chops, including:
- Pete Wiggs and Bob Stanley vinyl DJ set (22 March): The Saint Etienne band members (Stanley is a Croydonian) spin tunes on vinyl at the excellent Oval Tavern pub — expect indie, pop-dance and more.
- Rewind Projection on Croydon Clocktower (22 March and 23 March): Croydon's rich musical heritage is celebrated with a light show from Double Take Projections, which will beam images of figures like Samuel Coleridge-Taylor and Nadia Rose onto the town hall clocktower.
- Spark! from World Beaters (22 March and 23 March): A high-energy drumming show featuring dynamic choreography, in which the performers themselves are illuminated.
- Miniscule of Sound (22 March and 23 March): The 'World's Smallest Nightclub' (which has previously appeared at Glastonbury) is an intense two square metres of flashing lights and throbbing music — on which you're invited to cut a rug.
- Croydon Young Composers (23 March): 90 young musicians perform original compositions at the Fairfield Halls.
- United Nations Board of Significant Inspiration, Marble Awareness Road Show (23 March): A marble run with a difference — it's themed around punk in Croydon. Sounds interesting.
For a full line-up of happenings over the three days, visit the Croydon Remix website
The question now turns to: what will be the legacy of Borough of Culture for Croydon? While Waltham Forest enjoyed a £30m investment into the upcoming Soho Theatre Walthamstow, no such 'concrete' legacy appears to be forthcoming for Croydon. Infamously, just a few days before Croydon's Borough of Culture launch, Croydon's Mayor Jason Perry pushed through a dizzying 15% rise in council tax. That's just been nudged up by another 5%. Croydonians will be keen to see something tangible at the end of all this.
In the meantime, the Museum of Croydon's superb music exhibit, Rewind: This is Croydon's Music remains in situ until 7 September 2024.
Croydon Remix, 22-24 March 2024, free
