Bombay Bicycle Club Headlines Lido Festival at Victoria Park June 14

Key Points

• North London indie rock band Bombay Bicycle Club will headline a special one-off gig at Victoria Park as part of the Lido Festival on Sunday, June 14.
• The band will perform two of their classic albums in full: their debut I Had the Blues But I Shook Them Loose and follow-up Flaws, across two sets.
• Support acts include special guests Metronomy, Alice Phoebe Lou, Billie Marten, and Lucy Rose, with more artists to be announced.
• Lido Festival, London’s sustainable music event, returns to Victoria Park in June after a successful debut last year featuring Charli XCX, Massive Attack, and Jamie xx.
• The show celebrates 20 years since Bombay Bicycle Club formed around Crouch End and Hampstead.
• Original members Jack Steadman, Jamie McColl, and Suren de Saram met as teenagers at University College School in Hampstead under the name The Canals, later renaming after a defunct chain of Indian restaurants.
• Fourth member Ed Nash attended Camden School for Girls as a sixth former.
• Early gigs took place at Jacksons Lane in Highgate, ahead of their debut EP The Boy I Used to Be in 2007.
• The band stated: “We had such a great time last summer playing in Victoria Park that when we were asked to come back to headline Lido, we jumped at the chance.”

Victoria Park, London (North London News) – January 29, 2026 – North London indie stars Bombay Bicycle Club are set to headline a special one-off gig at Victoria Park this summer as part of the returning Lido Festival on Sunday, June 14. The band will perform two classic albums in full – their hit debut I Had the Blues But I Shook Them Loose and follow-up Flaws – across two sets, supported by special guests Metronomy, Alice Phoebe Lou, Billie Marten, and Lucy Rose, with further acts to be revealed.

This announcement marks a homecoming for the band, celebrating two decades since their formation in North London’s Crouch End and Hampstead areas. Lido Festival, known for its sustainable ethos, follows its debut last year in the same Hackney park, which drew crowds for performances by Charli XCX, Massive Attack, and Jamie xx.

Who Are Bombay Bicycle Club?

Bombay Bicycle Club emerged from the vibrant North London music scene in the mid-2000s. Jack Steadman, Jamie McColl, and Suren de Saram first met as teenagers at University College School in Hampstead, initially performing under the name The Canals before rebranding after a now-defunct chain of Indian restaurants. The trio’s early sound caught attention locally.

Ed Nash, the fourth member, joined as a sixth former from Camden School for Girls. Their initial performances included shows at Jacksons Lane in Highgate, a venue known for nurturing emerging talent in the area. By 2007, they released their debut EP, The Boy I Used to Be, which laid the groundwork for their rapid rise.

The band’s debut album, I Had the Blues But I Shook Them Loose, became a commercial hit, blending indie rock with accessible melodies that resonated widely. Its successor, Flaws, built on this success with a more introspective tone, cementing their status in the UK indie scene. These albums, to be played in full at Lido, represent pivotal moments in their career.

What Makes This Lido Festival Gig Special?

The Victoria Park headline slot is billed as a one-off event, tying directly into the festival’s summer lineup. Organisers have highlighted the gig’s uniqueness, with Bombay Bicycle Club delivering full album performances rarely seen in their recent tours. This format allows fans to relive the albums sequentially, evoking nostalgia for longtime supporters.

Support from Metronomy adds an electronic-indie flair, complementing the headliners’ guitar-driven sets. Alice Phoebe Lou brings folk-tinged introspection, Billie Marten offers delicate songwriting, and Lucy Rose provides heartfelt acoustics – a diverse bill underscoring Lido’s commitment to varied sounds. More announcements promise further star power.

As reported in the initial announcement, the band themselves expressed enthusiasm. The band said: “We had such a great time last summer playing in Victoria Park that when we were asked to come back to headline Lido, we jumped at the chance.” This quote captures their affinity for the venue, having performed there previously.

Why Is Lido Festival Returning to Victoria Park?

Lido Festival debuted in Victoria Park last year to critical acclaim, establishing itself as London’s premier sustainable music event. Acts like Charli XCX with her high-energy pop, Massive Attack’s atmospheric trip-hop, and Jamie xx’s electronic grooves drew diverse crowds, proving the park’s viability for large-scale outdoor shows.

The 2026 edition builds on this momentum, returning in June to the leafy confines of Hackney’s Victoria Park. Sustainability remains central, with eco-friendly practices from production to waste management distinguishing it from larger festivals. Victoria Park’s central location and green space make it ideal for such events, accessible via public transport from across London.

This year’s focus on Bombay Bicycle Club aligns with Lido’s ethos of spotlighting UK talent alongside international guests. The one-off nature of the headline gig elevates its draw, potentially selling out swiftly given the band’s local roots.

How Did Bombay Bicycle Club Form in North London?

The band’s origin story is deeply embedded in North London’s cultural fabric. Jack Steadman, Jamie McColl, and Suren de Saram bonded at University College School in Hampstead, a co-educational independent school fostering creativity. Their initial moniker, The Canals, reflected youthful experimentation before the Bombay Bicycle Club name – inspired by a shuttered Indian eatery chain – stuck.

Ed Nash’s arrival from Camden School for Girls diversified the lineup, bringing fresh perspectives. Early haunts like Jacksons Lane in Highgate, a community arts centre in Muswell Hill, hosted their formative gigs. These venues, integral to North London’s grassroots scene, helped hone their live prowess.

By 2007’s The Boy I Used to Be EP, they had transitioned from school talent to industry prospects. The subsequent albums I Had the Blues But I Shook Them Loose and Flaws propelled them to Mercury Prize nominations and chart success, all while retaining North London ties.

What Can Fans Expect from the Setlists?

Fans attending on June 14 will hear I Had the Blues But I Shook Them Loose in its entirety first, capturing the band’s raw debut energy with tracks like the upbeat singles that defined their breakthrough. The second set shifts to Flaws, known for its lo-fi charm and hits that showcased vocal evolution.

This full-album approach harks back to anniversary tours, offering rarities alongside staples. Metronomy’s synth-pop support will energise the crowd early, while Alice Phoebe Lou, Billie Marten, and Lucy Rose provide intimate preludes. The park’s open-air setting promises an immersive summer evening.

When and Where Is the Event Taking Place?

The gig is scheduled for Sunday, June 14, at Victoria Park in Hackney, East London. Gates typically open mid-afternoon for festivals of this scale, with supports starting before the headliners take the stage around sunset. June weather in London often favours outdoor events, though attendees should prepare for variable conditions.

Victoria Park, one of the capital’s oldest public parks, spans 217 acres and has hosted iconic events from suffragette rallies to modern festivals. Its proximity to North London – a short Overground ride from Crouch End or Hampstead – makes it a fitting venue for Bombay Bicycle Club’s milestone.

Why Celebrate 20 Years at Lido?

This performance coincides with 20 years since the band’s formation, framing it as a reflective milestone. From Hampstead schoolrooms to Victoria Park’s main stage, it traces their journey. The Lido headline offers a full-circle moment, especially after last summer’s positive park experience.

The band’s statement underscores this:

“We had such a great time last summer playing in Victoria Park that when we were asked to come back to headline Lido, we jumped at the chance.”

It reflects genuine excitement, bolstering anticipation.

What Is the Legacy of These Albums?

I Had the Blues But I Shook Them Loose, released in 2009, marked their major-label entry with youthful indie anthems. Flaws followed in 2010, stripping back production for emotional depth, earning critical praise. Both will resonate with original fans and newer audiences discovering their catalogue.

Playing them in full revives tracks seldom performed live today, bridging generations. Lido’s sustainable platform amplifies this nostalgic yet forward-looking event.