Local people are being encouraged to visit the festival’s Slug Stage to save Thamesmead from an army of giant space slugs from Saturn. Inside a circus big top tent, festivalgoers will be invited to dance and mosh to save the soul of South London.
The alien invasion is part of an alternate reality created by members of Bexley charity Re-Instate, who call themselves the Worms in Suits. 
Commissioned by community arts project Three Rivers and supported by festival sponsors Peabody, the group worked with artist Rosie Ridgway to bring the Slug Stage to life. They have assembled a team of incredible musicians and DJs to battle the aliens using the power of music.
Cult London-based Japanese band Frank Chickens, Flamingods member Charles Prest’s solo project Noon Garden, Afromerm, Lady Neptune, TOBITHEFREAK and Monster Machine will all perform live, with DJ sets from Tanum Sound System and Heart n Soul DJs.
Rosie explained: “Everything is going to be neon and hazy, and there will be a slime workshop running! There’s also a lot of tech involved. The group has created digital artwork, which will be projected inside the tent.
“It will be very immersive. The Worms in Suits have so much creativity, so many ideas and such a different approach to what a festival experience could be. We’re very excited to share some of these ideas with people in Thamesmead.”
The Slug Stage is one of four stages at this year’s Thamesmead Festival, which is headlined by Natalie Williams’ Soul Family. The 10-piece band is renowned for its long-standing residency at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club.
Along with a packed lineup of live music, the festival also includes arts and craft workshops, stalls, art installations, kids’ activities and street food, plus a sensory zone for those who prefer a calmer festival day.
As in previous years, the free, family-friendly festival has been led by the local community. A Festival Advisory Board of residents has been involved in every aspect of preparations, while two local people have taken on paid roles as programmers.
Working with festival producers Serious and Peabody, they have booked the musicians, artists and creative workshops available at the festival.
Lisa Drew, Peabody's Senior Cultural Programme Manager, said: “The Thamesmead Festival is always made by local people, for local people. It's a wonderful celebration of home grown talent and community spirit. We want everyone to know they're welcome here. We’re incredibly excited to have the Worms in Suits involved this year and can’t wait to see the world they have created for us!”
Explore the festival programme in more detail at thamesmeadfestival.co.uk. The festival takes place in Southmere Park between 12pm to 7.30pm. The event is free and no tickets are needed.
