A HIGHGATE road usually renowned for the noise of traffic hopes to make a very different kind of sound this year on London's music scene. Archway Road, or the A1 as it is also known, will host its first-ever music festival after plans were

Ben McPartland

A HIGHGATE road usually renowned for the noise of traffic hopes to make a very different kind of sound this year on London's music scene.

Archway Road, or the A1 as it is also known, will host its first-ever music festival after plans were announced this week.

On the weekend of March 23 to 25 live music venues along the road will host the festival, which is being sponsored by the Ham&High.

The event is the brainchild of Paul McLean-Thorne, chairman of the Archway Road Residents and Business Association (ARRBA).

He said: "The aim of the festival is to focus on the growing live music scene on the Archway Road and help to promote some of the new up-and-coming bars that have opened up recently."

The idea that the road could be home to a music festival came to him on a night out last year.

The IT consultancy company director said: "I went out on the road a few nights running and realised that each night I could go to a different venue and experience something completely different.

"In just a short stretch of road we have a whole world of different types of music and cuisines. There is something for everyone.

"Everyone has been very keen from the outset saying 'why hasn't this happened before?' "

The venues set to host live gigs are the Afro-Caribbean bar Fahrenheit, Brazilian jazz bar Caipirinha, The Red Hedgehog, Sound 323, the Highgate Inn and St Augustine's.

Mr McLean-Thorne added: "What I would like to do is brand the place as somewhere to go and have a good night out along with some good fun. When people get together and say what shall we do tonight I want them to say 'lets go down the Archway Road.'"

As well as receiving backing from the Ham&High, the festival will also be given support from Haringey Council's Neighbour-hood Management team.

And on top of raising the profile of the Archway Road, organisers are hoping to raise money for the mayor's charity - Building for Babies at the nearby Whittington Hospital.

Haringey Mayor Gina Amadou, who will open the event, said: "I'm very excited about this festival. It's a great idea and such a positive thing for the Archway Road community."

o In the run-up to the festival the Ham&High will be profiling some of the acts and the venues that will feature during the three day musical bonanza.

ben.mcpartland@hamhigh.co.uk