Having been cancelled last summer due to the COVID pandemic like so many other UK festivals, All Points East is set to return this August with a blockbuster array of artists. The festival is expected to take place from August 27-30th at East London’s Victoria Park, the event’s typical location since its launch in 2018.
Discussing the announcement of the festival’s return this summer in a press release, Jim King, CEO of European Festivals at AEG Presents, said, “It feels so great to finally be announcing our first day of All Points East 2021. The chance to be back in the summer sun in Victoria Park is itself alone a reason to celebrate. The fact we are coming back with such a great first line up announcement makes this an even sweeter moment. There are some exciting changes this year, including our move to the August Bank Holiday weekend… We can’t wait to welcome back live music in the UK and be back dancing with you all later this summer.”
Thus far, organisers of All Points East have only revealed the line-up for Saturday August 28th, when Newham-raised MC Kano is set to light up the stage in his native East London alongside co-headliner Jamie xx. This is a double bill that combines two vibrant London music scenes: the raw grime sound of the inner city and the electronica of urban club culture. Notably, it will be both artists’ first time performing at the festival.
Saturday 28th August @allpointseastuk https://t.co/HZjKLBTIOd pic.twitter.com/o7zrnhBF9a
— Kano (@TheRealKano) March 9, 2021
Kano and Jamie xx will be supported by an eclectic mix of other acts, including Tom Misch, Slowthai, Little Simz, Arlo Parks, Nubya Garcia, Pa Salieu, Romy, Haai, Marie Davidson and L’Oeil Nu, Fred Again.., Q, and Seeyousoon. Accordingly, the event is set conjure a unique musical experience on August 28th through a mixture of dance grooves, punk-rap, and afrobeat that will be perfect for summer in London.
Awarded with ‘Line-Up of the Year’ at the UK Festival Awards in 2018, All Points East has a history of putting together great line-ups. However, it is also worth noting that the festival has taken a slightly different musical direction this year with the acts that it has disclosed in its first instalment of announcements. Whilst the 2019 event had headliners such as The Chemical Brothers and The Strokes, and the prospective 2020 line-up had headliners such as Bombay Bicycle Club and Tame Impala, the line-up in 2021 looks to be moving away from the festival’s indie roots and towards a vibrant new sound.
All Points East now joins a host of other festivals, such as Reading and Leeds Festival and Splendour Festival, that have announced that they will be going ahead following the UK government’s promise of a summer without COVID-induced social restrictions from June 21st. With plenty more acts to be announced in the coming months, tickets for the event will be available to purchase tomorrow (March 10th) at 10am via www.axs.co.uk.
