Living Yard, Yard Life

The festival branding was created pro-bono by illustrator Mr Gresty, and is shown across tote bags, festival promotional materials, navigation and cute badges. Gresty worked with illustrator Amy McCarthy on the project, and created the site with designer Jake Giltsoff.

Yard Life was founded by Jen Lloyd to raise money for charity Multiple Sclerosis Research Treatment and Education (MS Research). She says, ‘Yard Life is all about providing a platform for new bands and DJ’s …I chose MS Research as my dad suffered with secondary progressive MS for many years before passing away in 2006.

‘It’s a terrible disease and MS Research are doing such a fantastic job in raising awareness and trying to find a cure, all the musicians are waiving their fees so we can raise as much money as possible for the charity.’

As well as hosting numerous bands and DJs, Yard Life will feature art installations created live throughout the festival by Dale Grimshaw.

Other live artwork will be taking place thanks to Doyeon Noro Kim (who goes under the name Pigman, for his art) and Raiph Vaughan.

The space itself sounds very impressive – spanning three floors the former metal works is being transformed by set designers who are getting to work on its surreal features, which we’re told include ball pools and metal cages. Adding to this strange mix will be an eight-foot-tall automaton sculpture by Woodie Wright.

Gresty will also be running a mini selling gallery at the event, and a mini cinema showing a selection of short films from London film-makers including Spike Morris.

Yard Life takes place on 19 and 20 April at Islington Metal Works, 7 Torrens Street, London EC1V 1NQ. For more information see http://yardlifefestival.co.uk/ and for tickets visit http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/yard-life-tickets-6744403693