Carnaby Street Was Almost Swinging

I was out and about on Saturday afternoon paying a visit to Carnaby Street in central London, where there was an event called Swinging Carnaby Weekend. This event was basically a celebration of the 60′s with shopping promotions, activities and some live music.

Carnaby Street became famous in the 1960′ as a happening area in London, where it became popular as a destination for original and innovative independent fashion shops and clothes designers, as well as happening bars, clubs and live music venues.

Iconic bands such as the Beatles, Rolling Stones, The Small Faces, The Who, and the legendary Jimmy Hendrix would perform in nearby venues, as well as shopping and socializing in the area. Carnaby Street and the streets around it, become one of the coolest areas in London during the swinging 60′s.

Maybe nowadays Carnaby, totally lacks originality or has any decent bars and for me there isn’t even much of a buzz about the place. It seems to have turned into a second rate tourist trap. But maybe others see if differently?

Anyway, Swinging Carnaby is part of the Story Of London, a month long campaign organised by the Mayors office to celebrate the history of London. What can I say about this particular event, well far starters whoever was organising it done a pretty miserable job.

Swinging Carnaby seemed to lack an real buzz or any sort of feel good vibes, don’t get me wrong the music was good, especially The Small Fakers, the Go Go dancers were good, but can somebody please tell me why they were dancing on the ground as opposed to the stage.

It was good to see the last 15 or so mods on their hair dryers and the last 3 original hippies, all of whom looked like they were still stuck in a time warp from the swinging 60′s. Where were all the girls in the little short dresses? I’m not too sure how well the Mayor’s office or the organisers promoted this event, but I feel they could have done more. It was a beautiful day and the Carnaby should have been more packed.

If London is to remain the capital of cool, it needs to get back to doing things in a more unique, fun and exciting manner. There must be people with real ideas in London that could have had some input into making an event like Swinging Carnaby a more happening occassion. Hopefully the other Story Of  London events, which are planned for London are a cut above ths one.

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