Peggy Gou & The Kooks Back Labyrinth on the Thames Major Greenwich Community Initiatives
In partnership with the Old Royal Naval College, Labyrinth on the Thames has today unveiled a major programme of community-led initiatives ahead of its landmark open-air London series, reinforcing its long-term commitment to the Royal Borough of Greenwich.
Ahead of the festival opening its doors, Labyrinth on the Thames will launch a large-scale food bank drive, supporting vulnerable people across the borough as part of its ‘Earn Your Day at Labyrinth’ initiative. Music fans, local residents and businesses will be encouraged to bring essential food donations to a dedicated drop off point at the Old Royal Naval College in exchange for tickets to one of the eight festival dates, including access to sold out shows.
The initiative aims to mobilise music fans, local residents and businesses in support of food banks across the Borough at a time when demand for emergency food support continues to rise. Donations will be distributed across food banks serving Greenwich, Woolwich, and Eltham, with recent data from Royal Borough of Greenwich Council showing that around one in seven households in Greenwich are estimated to experience food insecurity, while 14.9% of households with children are affected. Greenwich also remains one of the most deprived boroughs in England, ranked within the top 20% nationally, with 36% of children currently living in poverty.
Nick Castleman, Co-Founder of Labyrinth, said: ‘A number of our team volunteer with local food banks and have seen first-hand the growing pressures facing vulnerable communities across London. We wanted to use our platform to do something meaningful that directly benefits people across the Borough, while bringing music fans together around a shared cause.’
The initiative will be supported by EARNT, a platform that rewards positive action with access to culture and live experiences, helping facilitate and verify donations on-site. The campaign will also mark the first time the model has been introduced at this scale in London. Additional rewards, including VIP tickets and hospitality packages, will be available for those making the most significant contributions to the food drive.
Labyrinth will also launch organised litter-picking initiatives across Greenwich throughout the festival series, with fans invited to take part in 60-90-minute local clean-up efforts before attending events that day. Participants will receive access to sold out shows, as well as rewards including food and drink packages and VIP access. The programme is designed to support the Borough’s wider sustainability efforts while encouraging audiences to play an active role within the local community.
Built on the belief that music culture is rooted in shared experience and belonging, Labyrinth on the Thames continues to explore ways audiences, artists and partners can create meaningful impact alongside world-class live events. These initiatives are publicly backed by Adriatique, Anjunadeep, Peggy Gou and The Kooks.
Luke Pritchard, frontman of The Kooks said: “Greenwich got into my blood early, my mum had a shop there and I spent my childhood running wild in those streets. The Old Royal Naval College is hallowed ground, so to be playing there with Labyrinth feels like something meant to happen. What moves me about the initiatives is that it doesn’t stop at the music, it reaches back into the community that makes any of it possible in the first place. Music was always about more than sound. It was always about people. And knowing this brings them together while lifting up those who need it most that’s the whole point, isn’t it.”
Peggy Gou said: ‘In Korea, food is such a big part of our culture and how we connect with people, even the way we greet each other is often around asking if someone has eaten. I love that this initiative brings music and community together, while also helping support people and families who may not always have enough food on the table.’
For the second consecutive year, Labyrinth on the Thames will continue its official charity partnership with Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice, having raised over £16,000 in 2025. The 2026 edition aims to significantly build on this through a series of on-site initiatives, including a curated charity shop pop-up featuring pre-loved clothing and accessories, contactless donation points, donations from every queue jump ticket-add on. All guest list attendees will also be asked for a mandatory donation, with all proceeds supporting the Hospices vital work within the community. Further, exciting fundraising initiatives to be announced shortly.
The 2026 series will also deepen its engagement with local education and careers pathways through its continued partnership with the University of Greenwich, offering students paid event management experience, including repeat work placements for a consecutive year. With Trinity Laban, Labyrinth will build on a successful 2025 collaboration which saw students perform on the main stage, bydeveloping further creative opportunities for staff and students. Labyrinth also invite other local college students seeking work experience opportunities within the live events sector to apply. Get in touch at info@labyrinthevents.com.
In addition, Labyrinth is actively supporting local enterprises by working with a range of partners across the festival, while also offering opportunities for local, independent businesses to participate in the event series. This includes curated on-site activations, partnerships with local organisations and a rotating programme of small businesses given space within the historic courtyard setting. The initiative is designed to champion local hospitality, tourism and creative talent, further embedding the festival within the fabric of Greenwich. Small local businesses can apply by emailing info@labyrinthevents.com.
Residents remain a key priority, with those living within a half-mile radius of the venue eligible to apply for discounted tickets via a ballot system, with successful applicants receiving two tickets for their chosen event – apply HERE. Any resident who has already purchased tickets at full price and is subsequently successful in the ballot will receive a full refund. The ballot will be drawn later this month.
While residents on designated nearby roads will be able to apply for complimentary access to the festival series. These measures are intended to ensure that the local community can directly benefit from and participate in the cultural moment taking place on their doorstep. Eligible residents are invited to apply, selecting the show they wish to attend – apply HERE. Applications will be reviewed individually, with successful applicants contacted directly.
Kate Miners, Director of Public Engagement & Commercial at the Old Royal Naval College said: ‘At the Old Royal Naval College, we believe in creating memorable experiences for everyone. It’s important to us that partnerships like this also deliver something meaningful and beneficial for local people and the wider community.’
Labyrinth on the Thames will run across three weekends from 31 July to 16 August 2026, bringing some of the world’s biggest artists to one of Europe’s most architecturally striking outdoor venues. The series opens with The Kooks on 31 July, followed by performances from Dom Dolla, Peggy Gou, Overmono, Adriatique, Anjunadeep, Moby and Michael Bibi. Each show will transform the riverside setting into a bespoke immersive audio-visual experience.
Labyrinth remains committed to delivering a festival that is considerate, inclusive and respectful, with community at the heart of everything it does, from charitable partnerships and sustainability initiatives to local engagement and cultural programming.
