Soccer SixFest connects new talent with a brilliant day out - as well as with their musical peers and the industry.
Michalina Kaluzna photographed indie rock bands, The Chalamets and The One Offs at Mile End Stadium in May 2025.
Here's a taste of their Soccer Six Squad picture story of the day.
Each band gets to play at least a few games as they battle it out on the football pitch to reach the next stage of the tournament.
Saturday 10th May 2025
An hour before the gates open, the bands and industry have arrived to get into their individually chosen kit colours, ready for the tournament to begin.
 |
| Freshly kitted up, ready to play |
2025 was the year that The Musos Awards had returned in Spring, so by Summer, Soccer SixFest felt like many indie rock bands and music industry were on a party tour. Later that year, The Camden Cup would return to launch Musos 2026!
 |
| Walking to the football pitch cages. |
With a focus on mixing up and coming new names with familiar independent rock music artists, labels, promoters etc, Soccer SixFest is at it's buzziest - since the early days of Britpop bands this event comes loaded with good natured good sports for good causes and good times.
 |
| Ready to kick off. |
New music tips begin a day of football in the caged pitches at an all dayer with simultaneous live music, fan selfies and an informal industry social.
"massive thank you to Soccer Six for inviting us, what a day!!"
(THE CHALAMETS). Alongside THE ONE OFFS they are some of the many Players who experienced a day to remember in London's East End.
(THE CHALAMETS). Alongside THE ONE OFFS they are some of the many Players who experienced a day to remember in London's East End.
 |
| A round of applause for the Soccer Six photographers! |
The bands as well as the creators go from strength to strength.
Michalina Kaluzna (a self-taught photographer with a background in fine art, music, and 3D design) was on a day tripper diary with the The Chamalets and The One Offs.
It's not easy to photograph sports in action, but her documenting from 10th May 2025 is superb.
These images - found recently on a drive (with much appreciation!) are the perfect way to prepare for the return to Tower Hamlets in Eastenders land, on Sunday 5th July 2026.
 |
| Made it from the cages to the Main Pitches - Back Of The Net! |
It's Soccer Six so the 30th anniversary events are a game of two halves.
The first one is of the pioneering event began in 1995. 30th Anniversary first half!
This year - the second half - was when bands returned and Britpop was even bigger news. Pulp, Robbie Williams, The Bluetones, Dodgy, Reef and more are still going strong.
Here's wishing that the next generations of bands who have joined the Soccer Six family, can have their songs heard decades later, too.
The Britpop tournament is a landmark event. Blur and Oasis fans on twitter coined the name "Liamon" in reference to the many 1996 images of Liam Gallagher and Damon Albarn defining the height of Britpop. Soccer Six friend, Andy Ross, a co-founder, would have loved this.
2026 is not to be missed.
 |
| A long and happy day of matches |
All Soccer SixFest bands are stars on and off the football pitch and the music stage. DJs and live sets soundtrack the day.
 |
| Congratulations are in order! |
Like the results on the day, the weather is unpredictable but the sun (and the talents) really shone that day - as did the entire event. The feedback was heavenly. Let's do it all again.
If you would like to come and cheer on your fave bands on the pitch or enjoy the live music all day, there's a celebratory £6 ticket via Fatsoma.com (All Ages Event - under 14s must be accompanied by an adult). See also Music Industry Soccer Six Linktree
