The landmark Greenwich festival just closed its second summer with sold-out shows, surprise guests, and over £40,000 raised for local charity.
Labyrinth on the Thames has just wrapped its biggest summer to date, and the numbers speak volumes. Over eight sold-out dates in August, the Greenwich riverside series welcomed 76,000 people to one of London’s most stunning outdoor stages — a serious jump from 57,000 across six shows in its debut year. Set against the UNESCO World Heritage backdrop of the Old Royal Naval College, it’s become the capital’s standout open-air music event, and this year proved exactly why.
The Lineup That Sold It Out
The series ran across 31 July and 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 15, and 16 August, delivering 70 hours of music from 47 artists. Headliners included Peggy Gou, who brought Maya Jama on stage along with surprise guest Gala; The Kooks, celebrating 20 years of their debut album Inside In / Inside Out; Dom Dolla in his only London summer headline set; and Overmono, fresh off their acclaimed album Pure Devotion. Adriatique brought their global X series to the Thames, while Anjunadeep Open Air delivered another landmark electronic day by the water.
The final weekend went off. Moby closed with a six-time GRAMMY-nominated set alongside special guest Jacob Lusk, followed by an extended homecoming from East London’s Michael Bibi — complete with a surprise appearance from U-God and Young Dirty Bastard of Wu Tang Clan. VIP guests across the series included Central Cee, Jodie Comer, and Maya Jama. Production came courtesy of High Scream, the team behind Hï Ibiza and Coachella, tailoring visuals and sound specifically for the historic setting.
More Than Just Music
Labyrinth’s commitment to Greenwich goes deeper than ticket sales. The series raised over £40,000 for Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice in 2026, building on £16,000 the year before. Fundraising included a charity shop pop-up, donations from queue-jump tickets and guest-list spots, contactless donation points, and a JUBEL boat party with all proceeds going to the hospice.
Before doors opened, Labyrinth partnered with EARNT on a food bank drive, inviting locals to swap essential donations for up to 300 free tickets to sold-out shows. The initiative pulled in over 3,500 donations for Greenwich Foodbank, Clockhouse Community Centre, and Greenwich Family Action Food Club. EARNT also ran a community litter-pick on Woolwich Common, rewarding volunteers with tickets while keeping the borough clean.
The festival deepened its partnership with the University of Greenwich, offering students paid, hands-on event management experience — many returning for a second year. Local businesses got a platform too, with young entrepreneurs from The Academy of Success debuting their ventures in the historic courtyard.
Co-founders Nick Castleman and Michael Dicks said: “It’s pretty mad to think that in only our second year we’ve had 76,000 people through the gates across eight sold-out shows. We’re independent promoters and we’ve always just wanted to put on the kind of shows we’d want to go to ourselves, incredible artists, proper production and locations that make the whole thing feel special.”
Kate Miners, Director of Public Engagement & Commercial at the Old Royal Naval College, added: “To watch the sun go down on the River Thames and Wren’s iconic twin domes light up, with the crowd gathered in squares and colonnades that hold six hundred years of history, is to experience live music in a setting few places in the world can offer.”
With 76,000 fans, nearly 50 artists, and a genuine footprint in the community, Labyrinth on the Thames has firmly planted itself as one of London’s essential summer series. Keep an eye on the official site for news on 2027.
Image via Ross David
