With a plethora of live music events to choose from this summer, it’s sometimes difficult to cut through the noise and select the best of what’s on offer. However, GALA, an independent electronic music festival, remains a firm PAUSE favourite, thanks to its intimate atmosphere and impressive lineup. Now in its ninth year, this three-dayer has earned rightful praise for putting together some of the world’s most exciting emerging and established artists, including DJ EZ, Joy Orbison, Palms Trax, Job Jobse, Peach and many more.

PHOTO CREDIT: GALA Festival

When PAUSE arrived at Peckham Rye Park, the festival was already in full swing, with sizeable crowds filling out all five stages. The warm weather kept spirits high, with many people seeking shade under trees and tassel-trimmed gazebos. This year, GALA had plenty of surprises in store for its attendees, unveiling collaborations with several new stage hosts from the realms of electronic music, fashion and culture. On Friday, 24 May, fashion designer Nicholas Daley brought his Woven Rhythms concept to a festival for the first time after selling out his Southbank Centre takeover last year. GALA continued to expand its musical curation, progressing deeper into bass culture with an all-star Friday lineup that included takeovers from NTS radio. The festival’s most iconic stage, The Pleasure Dome, welcomed London’s leading queer party, Adonis, as hosts on Saturday, 25 May, whilst Horse Meat Disco returned on Sunday, 26 May, for another legendary set.

PHOTO CREDIT: GALA Festival

Beyond the music and electrifying ambience, the wide variety of refreshments available would have pleased any foodie, with plenty of tasty treats and thirst-quenching options to fuel a night of non-stop dancing. All in all, GALA was the highlight of an unforgettable bank holiday weekend, leaving a lasting impression long after the beats faded and the wristbands were removed.