Thursday 31st July 2025 will go down as one of those unforgettable moments in London’s music scene. Black Coffee on the Thames, the opening night of the Labyrinth on the Thames series, was a VIBE!
This feels like Ushuaïa — but in London
Set in the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, the venue was as much a headliner as the artists themselves. As we stepped out of Greenwich station to meet our friends, the atmosphere already felt different — clean, majestic, and full of anticipation. With the River Thames as the backdrop, planes flying overhead, and the sun setting behind the stage, the scene was something straight out of Ibiza. One of my friends turned to me and said, “This feels like Ushuaïa — but in London.”
Earlier in the day the likes of Henrik Schwarz and Meera took centre stage. The friendly crowd was buzzing from the time we arrived which was during the Carlita set, who built the energy beautifully. But when Black Coffee took the stage, everything shifted. Widely regarded as the GOAT his presence commanded attention. He played a powerful set, moving seamlessly between new music and classics. A standout moment was when he dropped “Finally” by Kings of Tomorrow feat. Julie McKnight — the crowd lit up, phones in the air, hands reaching for the sky. My friends kept saying, they felt like they were on holiday.
What truly elevated the experience was the attention to detail. The sound quality was superb, with bass that you could feel in your chest. The production was sleek, with lighting that adapted beautifully as day turned into night. While a slightly higher DJ platform would have been ideal for visibility, it didn’t detract from the overall experience and unlike most large-scale events, this felt intimate yet spacious — easy access to bars, food, toilets, and most importantly, no stress trying to find your friends if you ventured off.
VIP ticket holders were treated to a rare chance to step inside the Old Royal Naval College itself, the awe-inspiring Painted Hall. Designed by Sir James Thornhill and painted between 1707 and 1726, the Painted Hall features more than 3,700 square metres of extraordinary Baroque walls and ceilings. These surfaces are covered in striking images depicting 200 figures including kings, queens and mythological creatures which felt like stepping into another era creating a surreal blend of history and rave culture, and honestly, it worked.
It’s worth noting that Black Coffee rarely plays in London, often only once a year, which is why these tickets vanished the moment they went on sale — and why a second date was added immediately. The Labyrinth team, known for curating music events in incredible venues like Tofte Manor, Camden Roundhouse, and even disused Edwardian tube stations, have once again delivered something special.
With upcoming performances from Solomun, Anjunadeep, and more across the Labyrinth on the Thames series, this felt like the start of something historic.
For more info and to keep up-to-date with the latest info visit labyrinthevents.com
Images via @sin_hart