On a beautifully sunny day in Central London, Canadians and non-Canadians alike joined forces in Trafalgar Square to celebrate the 143rd birthday of Canada. After a recorded message from Prime Minister Steven Harper, the event got under way with The Canadian Tenors singing Oh Canada before the High Commissioner dropped the ceremonial puck in the annual street hockey tournament.

Kicking the musical proceedings off were Eccodek, who blended world music and dub grooves to perfection to get the crowd in the party mood, which was continued by Keisza, who took to the stage with air horns and keytar heavy electro pop. David Celia followed with his intelligent roots rock before Radio Radio brought the afternoon musical segment to a close in a party atmosphere, throwing out synchronised dance moves and high kicks to go with their feel good hip-hop. They left the audience pondering that constant question: Penny loafer or deck shoe?

After an interval which saw signings from Paralympian Chantal Petitclerc, the Triviala quiz , and dances from representatives of the Kwakwaka'wakw First Nation, and of course, the final of the Trafalgar Cup street hockey tournament, the concert proper was started by Richie Hawtin, who was sporting a specially made Canada Day Plastikman t-shirt. Next up was La Patere Rose and their infectious piano driven tunes before Vancouverite Dan Mangan took the stage. Yet before the close of his set, Mangan was off the stage again, laying down his guitar and taking the microphone into the audience, leading the 5,000 strong crowd in a chorus of "Robots need love too".

Having played to world leaders at the G20 summit on the weekend, the Canadian Tenors returned for a short set, wowing the crowd with their vocal talents and a sensational cover of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah." Hawksley Workman, reeled out tracks from his back catalog as well as the Polaris longlisted "Milk/Meat" to the delight of the crowd, many of whom could be seen singing every word back to him. The singalongs continued as Sarah Harmer and her band showcased selections from her first album in four years, as well as playing some old classics before Jully Black and her band got the crowd jumping and dancing, with Black whirling around the stage and throwing in the occasional Michael Jackson move for good measure. And what better way to close the evening than by inviting all the artists, including some of those who featured in Canadian Blast and The Local's "Canada" festival to lead the crowd in a rousing chorus of Oh Canada?