6 months ago
The UK’s largest pop music festival, Mighty Hoopla, wrapped up its 2024 edition with a spectacular display of music, diversity, and inclusion at Brockwell Park.
The event, which attracted over 60,000 fans, was a vibrant celebration of pop culture, noughties nostalgia, and queer excellence, offering an unforgettable experience over two sun-drenched days.
Jessie Ware headlined the final night, delivering a powerhouse performance that solidified her iconic status with the Hoopla crowd. Fans danced to hits like ‘That! Feels Good’, ‘Spotlight’, and ‘Free Yourself!’, and were thrilled by a surprise duet with Beth Ditto of Gossip for their hit ‘Standing in the Way of Control’, followed by a rousing cover of Cher’s classic ‘Believe’.
Earlier, Rita Ora showcased her decade-spanning career with hits including ‘I Will Never Let You Down’ and ‘Hot Right Now’, along with a debut of her new single ‘Ask & You Shall Receive’. Rachel Stevens of S Club 7 fame made a much-anticipated solo comeback, delighting fans with her pop gems ‘Sweet Dreams My LA Ex’ and ‘Some Girls’. Eurovision star Bambie Thug mesmerized with ‘Doomsday Blue’ and ‘Tsunami’, while Jojo Siwa made her UK festival debut with ‘Karma’.
The main stage also featured standout performances from Alison Goldfrapp, Cat Burns, The Veronicas, and Beth McCarthy. Delta Goodrem returned to headline the Hayu stage, delivering crowd favorites ‘Born To Try’ and ‘Lost Without You’, while Countess Luann and boyband V brought nostalgic hits to life. Louise reunited with Eternal’s Kéllé Bryan for a memorable rendition of ‘So Good’.
Queertopia, a new stage addition, spotlighted emerging LGBTQIA+ artists, with highlights including electro-clash star Lynks, glam-pop group Walt Disco, and multi-instrumentalist Geo Jordan.
Saturday’s lineup was equally impressive, with Nelly Furtado headlining in a UK exclusive, performing classics like ‘Say It Right’, ‘Maneater’, and ‘Promiscuous Girl’. Alesha Dixon’s surprise Mis-teeq megamix and sets from En Vogue, Claire Richards, Bananarama, and Cher Lloyd were crowd favorites. The festival also celebrated queer nightlife with performances from Drag Race winner Tia Kofi, The Cocoa Butter Club, Pxssy Liquor, and George Michael Disco.
The festival was a magnet for VIPs, including Andrew Scott, Taika Waititi, Ashley Roberts, Cara Delevingne, Jonathan Bailey, Clara Amfo, Jade Thirlwall, Omari Douglas, Nicola Coughlan, and Katie Price.
In addition to the music and festivities, Mighty Hoopla kicked off Pride Month with a commitment to giving back, supporting not-for-profit organizations like Not A Phase, Médecins Sans Frontières, and Gig Buddies through its community fund.
Mighty Hoopla has already confirmed its return for 2025, set for May 31st to June 1st, with tickets going on sale on June 5th. The festival promises to continue its tradition of pop-perfection, queer excellence, and unforgettable nostalgia, ensuring its place as a highlight of the UK’s festival calendar.
