FAQs

GENERAL

What is Body Movements?

Body Movements is a festival in London which celebrates queer bodies in club culture.

This is a place for queer and trans electronic music to be applauded, queer exploration to be encouraged, and queer and trans expression to flourish.

Where is the festival?

In Summer ‘24, Body Movements will find its new home amongst the trees of Southwark Park.

SOUTHWARK PARK, SE16 2KX

Why have you moved?

We never imagined this project would grow from a DIY, radical queer gathering in hackney wick to having the opportunity to develop into an open space – We are on a mission to curate london’s first outdoor, queer, dance music festival. 

A place to play, dance, celebrate, connect, and empower queer bodies. 

Out in the open, beneath the trees.

Are allies welcome at Body Movements?

Yes, allies of the queer community are welcome and encouraged at Body Movements, but please familiarise yourself with our respect policy before buying a ticket. Remember, this is a queer celebration first and foremost.

Why are fewer collectives/crews involved in Body Movements this Summer?

For our first year in a greenfield site, we are working with a reduced number of stages (five in total). We’re therefore unable to work with the same number of crews as we have done previously in Hackney Wick. We have, however, invited a huge number of artists from some incredible collectives in London to play this year. You can find more details on our lineup page.

On arrival

• Please bring ID – dead names are fine
• We’re operating Challenge 25 on the bars
• You have the right to choose who searches you
• Remember that there is no re-entry to the site. These are our licence conditions.

SITE MAP

TICKETS

How do I get a ticket?

Tickets are on sale via Resident Advisor.

We always do exclusive pre-sales for our email subscribers – make sure you’re signed up here.

How are your tickets priced?

Tickets for our Summer festival start from £20 + booking gee.

We have a number of ticket options available. Usually, the earlier you arrive at the festival and the sooner you buy a ticket, the cheaper your ticket will be.

We have discounted tickets for those on a low-income which can be registered for here. We will send out mailers for those who apply to these periodically over the festival on-sale period.

For students we have an openly available ticket – these tickets you need to have a valid NUS or college ID card at entry to the festival.

If you find yourself in a favourable financial situation, we encourage you to participate in our ‘pay-it-forward’ scheme. The “Pay It Forward” option encourages an ecosystem of care, not only will this ticket give you full access to the festival, but will partly fund another person’s ticket too. as an independent festival with no external shareholder investment we feel it’s important to work collectively in ensuring the full spectrum of LGBTQ+ identities are part of this celebration. 

How do your low-income tickets work?

We have a limited allocation of reduced-price accessible tickets, offered to those who would be otherwise unable to attend the festival.

These tickets can be registered for here. These tickets are accessible by way of application, which we allocate based on your honesty, as we do not ask you to prove your income. We must stress; if you can afford to buy a normal-priced ticket, please do, or you will be taking away from someone who can’t. 

Are there tickets for local residents?

Discounted tickets available to local residents within the Bermondsey area. Some free tickets are also available to residents directly bordering the north side of the park, which will be available via ballot.

Tickets will be available to apply for in late April 2024, please check back for an update on the exact date. Applications sent prior to this date will not be accepted. There is a limit of 4 x resident tickets per household.

Residents tickets are discounted by over 40% priced at £20 + booking fee and will be offered on a first come, first served basis.

To apply, you will need to supply a proof of address via a form. The link will be available on this page in June 2024.

Do you support a charity through your work?

We support charities & queer local community projects in various ways, via donating a portion of ticket sale revenue, guestlist donations and occasional on-the-day fundraising. All donations are pooled in our Community Fund. So far we have donated over £30k to charities and projects such as London Trans Pride, We Exist Emergency Fund for Trans people in need, Stonewall Housing, Play They Magazine, Gendered Intelligence, All Out, and a fund that supports humanitarian aid in Gaza. 

Will residents tickets be available?

We will have a limited allocation of discounted/free tickets for local residents of Southwark Park available closer to the festival. Please check back with us or email info@bodymovements.co.uk in June 2024.

What does my ticket include?

Access to the Body Movements festival in Southwark Park

Last entry is listed in each ticket – for example, “pre-12.30pm”.

After parties are separately ticketed. 

What if I can’t attend after buying a ticket?

Resident Advisor’s resale will activate once the event sells out. You can list your ticket for resale in advance of this through your Resident Advisor “Order History”. Please contact RA if you need more help with this. 

We unfortunately do not refund tickets if you contract COVID-19.

GETTING HERE

How do I get to the festival?

The site is located at Southwark Park, London.

The festival entrance is located just beyond the Paradise Gates on the north-eastern side of the park. The gate by the site entrance is located here – https://maps.app.goo.gl/WuX2RpKivYfwPsHj8

The gate is on the corner, opposite the Rotherhithe Tunnel, where Lower Road and Jamaica Road meet.

The nearest tube stations are Bermondsey and Canada Water. The postcode for Southwark Park is SE16 2FD. A map of the site will be shared with ticket holders via email and on our Instagram page soon.

Nearest London Overground train stations:

Bermondsey (0.4 miles to entrance, 0.7 miles from exit)

Rotherhithe (0.7 miles to entrance, 0.7 miles from exit)

Canada Water (0.5 miles to entrance, 0.3 miles from exit)

Bus stops:

The nearest bus stops to the entrance to the festival are: Southwark Park Stop C and F)

The nearest bus stops to the exit of the festival are: Hothfield Place Stop P and Surrey Quays Road Stop Y.

Taxi drop-off:

0.3 miles from the festival entrance: Carriage Drive, SE16 2ET

Closest airport: London City or Gatwick

What facilities/parking will there be for cyclists?
A dedicated area will be agreed within Southwark Park for E-bike users to park and hire bikes from. Users will not be able to park E-Bikes within a pre-determined exclusion zone around the park to keep pathways free for pedestrians. Please follow instructions on your E-Bike’s mobile app and signage upon arrival to Southwark Park.

E-Bikes will not be available for hire from this location at the end of the event.

We will provide a dedicated parking zone with lockable facilities for anyone wanting to attend the festival via their own bicycle. This will be located close to the event entrance. Please follow signage and guidance from our steward as you enter the park. Bikes are left at the owner’s risk.

What time do I need to arrive by?

Your ticket will have an arrival time which must be adhered to. We recommend arriving as early as possible to enjoy the music.

Re-entry

Re-entry to the festival will not be permitted.

ACCESSIBILITY

We’re on a mission to make Body Movements as inclusive as it can be. This includes making the information around accessibility as useful as possible. 

Please read our Accessibility Policy for information on the site, getting here and getting around. 

We offer free tickets for personal assistants if you have already bought a ticket for yourself – please email us at info@bodymovements.co.uk with a copy of your ticket and we will send you an additional ticket for your PA.

There is a viewing platform at the mother main stage + dedicated viewing areas at the snatch + the strap stages. At the two smaller stages (glory hole + hot mess) there are no viewing platforms, so please ask a member of staff to help you get to an appropriate area of your choice.

POLICIES

Safety + Wellbeing

Body Movements takes a firm stance against any aggressive or inappropriate behaviour. This includes any instances of racism, sexism, homophobia, or transphobia. If you witness or are affected by any inappropriate behaviour then please report to a warden, steward or member of security.

If you begin to feel unwell at any point or see anyone who appears to be in distress for any reason, please inform a welfare armband wearer, steward or member of security immediately. Look after yourself and be considerate of those around you. please read our festival respect policy to understand our approach to wellbeing.

Age

This is an 18+ festival. We will be operating age checks on the door and challenge 25 will be in operation on all bars.

Green Policy

Whilst on-site (and always!) please use bins for any rubbish you may have. Be respectful of your surroundings, and make sure you do not create litter.

Consider taking public transport, cycling or walking to the site to lessen your impact, and bring an empty water bottle which will be refillable on site.

Search Policy

Security will be operating searches on entry to the festival. By entering the festival you are consenting to be searched. You have the right to choose which security member searches you. Security and venue staff reserve the right to refuse anyone entry to the festival.

Body Movements operates a Zero-Tolerance Policy on illegal drugs and legal highs. Please do not attempt to enter the festival carrying either as it may result in refusal of entry, or you could be asked to leave or reported to the police. Should you do anything to result in your removal from a venue for any reason, you risk having your wristband removed and entry to any other venue declined on the day.

What is Body Movements commitment to safety and inclusion?

Body Movements is committed to the education of all venue staff and security to ensure the best care for our community. We’ll be telling you more about how we are doing this via our social media & email communication.

PROHIBITED ITEMS

Can I bring food + drink into the festival?

Empty water bottles are permitted into the festival and there will be free water points dotted around the festival. When choosing your water bottle, please be mindful that glass will be confiscated. Any other food and drink is not permitted.

BBQs + gas canisters are not allowed.

If you need to bring food or drink into the festival on medical grounds, please reach out to us ahead of the festival at info@bodymovements.co.uk.

What is your drug policy?

Controlled & psychoactive substances will not be allowed into the festival. If these items are found on you, you may be refused entry or reported to the police. This does not include prescription drugs, although matching ID will be required. 

Sealed bottles of poppers will be allowed, but open and unsealed poppers will be confiscated. 

Unidentified liquids and small bottles of liquid are not permitted.

Will there be a cloakroom?

There will not be a cloakroom on site.

How much can I bring with me? Is there a limit on bag sizes?

There will not be a cloakroom on site. So we advise you to pack light + dress according to the weather. If you are wearing a different outfit whilst you are travelling and need to change on arrival, please make sure these items fit in a small bag (no bigger than A4). This is so everyone has enough space on the dance floor.

Because of this, it’s important that you look after your belongings + keep them on you at all times.

My outfit includes chains/spikes/fetish gear. Will these be confiscated?

We want you to feel your most free, confident, sexy self. Fetish wear, including outfits with large chains etc, will be permitted into the festival and we are working closely with on-site security to make sure this policy is upheld.

Please be mindful that weapons, sharp objects and lasers/laser pens will not be allowed into the festival – even as part of a look.

What is your policy for medicine and sexual health medication?

If you need to bring medicine into the festival, please contact our access team ahead of the festival at info@bodymovements.co.uk. You will need to bring a matching ID with you.

You will be allowed to bring PrEP into the festival alongside matching ID.

Accessibility:

You can find our accessibility policy here.

Access dogs will be allowed into the festival, however we may ask for proof that any dog is registered with an organisation that is a member of Assistance Dogs UK.

Camping chairs are not permitted into the festival, however this policy will be relaxed for anyone who needs to bring them because they cannot stand for longer periods.

Free companion, carer and personal assistant tickets are available on request. Please email us at the email address above to arrange this. We will not ask for evidence of accessibility requirements.

Please get in touch if you would like to discuss your specific access needs or how body movements can be made more accessible for you.

Prohibited:

• Bags larger than A4 paper
• Food and drink (there are water points on site, empty bottles are permitted).
• Controlled and psychoactive substances, other than prescription drugs (matching ID is required).
• Dogs / other animals (with the exception of assistance dogs, agreed with us in advance).
• Bikes / skateboards / scooters.
• Folding chairs
• Selfie sticks
• Flagpoles
• Golf umbrellas
• Glass / aerosols / gas canisters /  BBQs / weapons / sharp objects.
• Pyrotechnics / flares / fireworks / lasers / laser pens.
• Megaphones / large amplification equipment / klaxons / air horns.
• Drones / unmanned aerial vehicles.
• Professional camera / filming equipment.

Allowed:

• Empty water bottles (not glass).
• Prescription drugs (alongside matching ID).
• Hand held personal cameras.
• Make-up and sunscreen (you may be asked to test these on yourself).
• Fetish wear (inc. large chains)
• Bags smaller than A4 paper
• Sealed and unused bottles of poppers
• Assistance dogs
• Flags (but not flagpoles)

FOOD

Chick ‘n’ sours – The Sausage – Yam Good – Plantain Kitchen – Masa Tacos – Banana LeafHarissa & Lemon – La Creme – Afromufasa – Smashing Plates – En Root

Gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options are catered for.

LOST PROPERTY

On the event day we will have a Lost Property Manager based in the Welfare Tent who will be looking after all lost & found items from the day. 

This is where you should go during the live show if you lose something.

If you have not collected your lost item by the end of the festival and want to retrieve it, please send an email to either lostandfound@thisisgala.co.uk or info@bodymovements.co.uk and we will direct you towards the lost property manager.