South-East London rejoice, because you finally have your local but broad-minded, radical but ethical, experimental but traditional Festival!

The second edition of Crosswires Festival exposed indeed the exciting underground music scene orbiting around New Cross, Deptford and Lewisham councils. Throughout a day, from 1pm to 1am, the Amersham Arms’ stage hosted ten bands able to show the many passports and artistic perspectives that London can be proud of.

The all-day-show kicked off with the Italian five-piece ensemble Terra Viva, which honoured and exalted its roots with a dynamic set. If on one side, the musicians boosted the more folkloric aspects of their tradition, on the other they showed that London is their current domicile contaminating their tunes with the most diverse references and engaging their audience thanks to the brisk voice of their singer.

Then, it was the turn of the multiform tuneful amalgam presented by the London based George Works to unsettle and amaze the audience at the same time. Dub, ska, hip-hop and spoken words whirled all around the New Cross venue and kept on whirling during the following act’s set.

Noya Rao brought indeed the eclectic aspects of the contemporary Leeds sounds to London, adding a softer but still kaleidoscopic expressivity to the rhythmic cauldron that was already boiling in the venue.

Minutes later, the all-female vocal ensemble Deep Throat Choir monopolise the audience’s attention with a vital, bizarre and inspired performance and far-reaching expressivity of the artists’ vocal cords.

However, the heavyweights still had to come… Because it was with United Vibration that Amerhsam Arms’ began to erupt music flames and tremble following the buoyant groove. The Deptford based ensemble explained to everyone why is considered one of the best new music expressions of the borough. Their mix between AfroFuturism, –beat and –funk with some jazzy and ambient oriented arrangements gave the audience an impossible-to-miss chance to dance and release their energies.

Then 47Soul had the task to wrap up the live music part of the event…and they did it with a bang. The Palestinian quartet easily hypnotized the audience with their magnetic tunes blending Middle Eastern harmonies with electronic beats, hip-hop rhymes and unrestrainable character. Their sound and attitude are a blessing for the London music scene and a genuine breath of fresh air for every music lover.

Which was also why we loved Crosswires Festival!