Polygon Live - Raving in the Round!

For anyone who grew up in South London, Crystal Palace Park has always been a bit of a favourite. Despite being best known for its Victorian dinosaurs, on this particular Sunday, the scene felt more like a futuristic ritual. Polygon Live, a sensory overload of 360° sound and lights, had turned this leafy bit of South London into a full-blown space-age playground.

The first thing that hit us as we approached was an unassuming large big top tent. But there was nothing low key once inside -  within, the scale was striking. Nearly 100 speakers spread across 25 unique positions, pumping out sound in a fully immersive 360° setup, with lights to match. It’s the kind of system that makes your bones rattle, with each bassline creeping in from unexpected angles, creating the sense that the music itself is alive, moving around you. That’s five times the speakers you’d expect for a space of this size, a proper feat of engineering.

The crowd was a mixed bag - everything from toddlers on shoulders to seasoned ravers, all huddled together under the dome as the music hit. Despite the weekend being unseasonably warm overall, we managed to pick the one cold day, which added a bit of a challenge to the vibe. Fortunately, on top of the standard bar fare you’d expect from a festival, there were multiple hot drink stands, including a surprisingly tasty mushroom tea that kept my hands warm and spirits high. The food options were solid too - burgers, chicken, and options for everyone - so they’d clearly thought through the line-up on that front as well.

 

Once inside, the music took over. The 360° sound system wrapped around the crowd, with each note and bassline coming at you from unexpected angles. It was the kind of setup where you can feel the music in your bones - borderline disorienting, but in the best way. People were properly lost in it, moving to the beats, letting the music and the lights take over.

Then there was the Pink Floyd section, where the visuals were controlled by live brain scans of three participants on stage. Fresh off a Black Mirror binge, this felt oddly familiar - like someone had cracked open the minds of a few willing volunteers and broadcast their synaptic sparks into the night sky. It was a fascinating fusion of classic rock and cutting-edge tech, a proper trip for both the eyes and ears.

Despite the cold trying to creep into our bones, the atmosphere stayed buzzing. People made the most of the grassy patches and the small hill with sweeping views over South London. As we stumbled out of the park and into the night, I felt like I’d just stepped out of a sci-fi film - a little bit dazed, slightly awestruck, and properly ready for the rest of festival season.

Early bird tickets for next year are already on sale now here and we can only expect things to get bigger and better!