Residents can once again enjoy a host of free music on their doorstep as the ever-popular Roundhouse Music Festival returns to Parsloes Park in Dagenham on Sunday 24 July. 

Revellers will see performances from 60s band, The Animals, as well as Leicester rock and roll group Showaddywaddy and all-female heavy metal band Rock Goddess.

Dave Finnegan’s Commitments and tribute act, The Real Magic Queen, will also take to the stage and Barking and Dagenham Council is once again partnering with Studio 3 Arts to bring back the live final of the annual Roundhouse Unsigned Competition – including welcoming back last year’s winner, Outland.

Our events always have something for everyone and we’re delighted, on the anniversary of the first Dagenham Town Show, to be able to continue our tradition of offering people the opportunity to have some free, family fun and create some lifelong memories right here in Barking and Dagenham – particularly in the light of the biggest cost-of-living crisis of our lifetime.

The free family-friendly event, which is part of the council’s summer of festival’s programme, will have plenty more to see and do including performances, workshops, stalls featuring local businesses, rides and inflatables, and even a special appearance by some dinosaurs.

This year marks the 70th anniversary since the first-ever Dagenham Town Show, and to celebrate the occasion there will be a special arena featuring high-adrenalin acts, including a world renown parachute display team, as well as local artist Matty May telling the history of the Dagenham Town Show.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Darren Rodwell said: “Our events always have something for everyone and we’re delighted, on the anniversary of the first Dagenham Town Show, to be able to continue our tradition of offering people the opportunity to have some free, family fun and create some lifelong memories right here in Barking and Dagenham – particularly in the light of the biggest cost-of-living crisis of our lifetime.”

The Roundhouse pub, which opened in 1969 as the Village Blues Club, has played host to some of the world’s biggest musicians including Elton John and Queen.

For more information visit lbbd.gov.uk/summer-of-festivals.