Live on Bandstand brings 'cultural focus' to Southsea as 2022 season concludes with 'Last Bumper Weekend'

The Live at the Bandstand season was scheduled to end last weekend, but has been postponed due to the Queen’s mourning period.

Organizers have decided to hold a “Last Bumper Weekend” to end the 2022 Bandstand season.

Dubbed Along the Coast, today’s event was put together by Piece of Cake Productions, an affiliate of the National Youth Theater.

Entertainment began at 1pm with performances of “lo-fi, experimental hip-hop and rap” by “the region’s brightest emerging black talent.”

Portsmouth residents Emma Morgan and Jenny Tappen set up camp chairs on Saturday afternoon and enjoyed the afternoon’s performances.

Jenny says:

“This is a free event that brings the community together,” Emma said.

“It’s always been really good, and considering the cost of living, it’s great to do something that only costs £4.

“The atmosphere is always really nice.”

Friends Chloe Stackley and Kelly Hatch laid out blankets at Castle Field for an afternoon of live music.

The duo had just embarked on an “amazing” but windy rappel down the Spinnaker Tower to support challengers for a disability charity.

Fairham native Chloe said her favorite thing about the event was that it was “free and local.”

Jenny adds:

“After rappelling down the Spinnaker Tower and grabbing a little lunch, I thought I’d drop down here.”

But Saturday was a quieter day than your average Live at the Bandstand event, with fewer people at Castlefield.

Southsea resident Linda Cotton said: “Sundays are usually swells and completely packed.

“Today is Saturday, so people may not know enough about it.

“Perhaps they should advertise it more – put up some posters.”

Both days are free public events run by Portsmouth City Council and proudly supported by Victorious Festival.

The Live at The Bandstand will move from its traditional home in 2022 due to ongoing coastal defense construction.