Operations and Health & Safety: Eastern Electrics and Maiden Voyage
Background
It was 11 years ago that Eastern Electrics held its first, one-day festival in Greenwich Peninsular, following a series of club nights around London. Today, it hosts 20,000 people and invites some of the most renowned talent on the Electronic music scene to Lee Valley Showground.
Maiden Voyage is newer to the scene, having been curated by Camden‘s Jazz Café in 2019. Yet the festival, which explores the extensive sounds of Jazz, House, Hip-hop and Techno, and takes place at Lee Valley the day after EE, has quickly gained speed, and is often found at the top of Resident Advisor‘s picks for the August Bank Holiday weekend.
OPS has been working with Eastern Electrics since 2017 – delivering Operational and Event Health & Safety services alongside the production team and our sister agency, The Fair.
While both teams are very familiar with the requirements of this festival, new and unprecedented challenges this year tested the team in new ways. The end result, however, showed our ability to rise to any challenge, and deliver services to the same exceptional standard.
Challenges
A national rail strike took place on the day of Eastern Electrics, and was announced just two weeks prior, leaving our team with the task of enabling 20,000 people to get home safely from Lee Valley Showground.
A lightning strike led to a temporary show stop, and we had to action our Severe Weather Management Plan.
A brand new stage had to be safely delivered, as well as several other new installations around the site.
Delivery
Successful ingress and egress operation despite having two weeks to create, approve and implement a brand new plan.
Safe management and implementation of Severe Weather Management Plan.
On-site management during build, live and break of the event.
Stakeholder Management (advance and onsite).
Results
Enabling 20,000 people to get home safely amid a national rail strike.
Temporary show stop managed successfully, enabling the festival to resume and attendees to continue dancing.
Positive feedback from the SAG and council regarding the execution of the event.
Exceptional feedback from the client and very happy festival-goers.