The inaugural SMK Live took place at Stadium MK this weekend, with the second day headlined by US giants Black Eyed Peas.
I was only able to get out to the second day of this new festival but on the evidence of the Sunday, it’ll hopefully be a great new addition to the region’s festival calendar.
The first night was headlined by Basement Jaxx who were joined by Clean Bandit, Groove Armada (DJ Set), Jax Jones, Sigma, Katy B, Moonchild Sanelly and host Bimini.
Joining Black Eyed Peas members will.i.am, apl.de.ap and Taboo on the second day were Jason Derulo, Cat Burns, Jalen Ngonda, Maverick Sabre, Jaguar Skills and host by Big Narstie.
Personally, I think the second day had the strong line-up with Derulo pulling almost as many people as the headliner.
Stadium gigs – especially all-dayers – can be unforgiving as any promoter will tell you, it’s a huge space to fill.
One of the challenges I think SMK Live faced was a lot of the food and beverage offerings were outside of the stadium – which resulted in a lot of people hanging around there during some of the early acts.
It’d have been nice to see those food trucks and bars ‘pitch side’ to help things feel a bit more contained. Also, it’d have eliminated the need to trek up and down the stadium’s first tier to get in and out!
Overall, it was a great event though which thousands of people enjoyed and one I hope returns next year.
Sadly, only a few Black Eyed Peas photos here because of the o’l ‘management approval’ requirement. Bit annoying – but is what it is.
You can sign up for more information about SMK Live 2027 here.
More photos of gigs at Stadium MK – including by the likes of My Chemical Romance, Rammstein, Rod Stewart and Take That – are available on this site here.
