Dance music pioneers The Chemical Brothers and Primal Scream will open All Points East when it returns to Victoria Park in May.
Promoter AEG Presents won a five-year contract from Tower Hamlets Council to host the 10-day music and community festival that debuted over the summer, booting out the likes of Lovebox and Field Day in the process. The 2019 festival runs from May 24 until June 2.
Orchestral indie rockers Spiritualized, north London MC Little Simz; the brassy, infectious Ibibio Sound Machine; and bookish electropop stars Hot Chip are among the other names on the Friday night line-up for May 24.
Taking an apparent swipe at the festival’s predecessors in a statement on All Points East’s return, Tower Hamlets mayor John Biggs said: “I am pleased that following the success of All Points East this summer – with considerably improved management from the previous contract – it will be returning in 2019.”
There are five nights of acts – and details of a free four-day community festival bookended by the two weekends of music – still to be announced. This year, the weekday events attracted 80,000 people, organisers claim.
Kendrick Lamar collaborator Danny Brown and Swedish electronic act Little Dragon complete the line up for the opening day so far announced.
All Points East in the Neighbourhood, the free festival that kicks off on Bank Holiday Monday (May 27), is again set to include outdoor cinema, live music, street food and pop-up bars, arts and kids’ activities.
Mr Biggs added: “We worked closely with AEG to ensure local residents’ needs were considered at this year’s event and I am grateful for the attention they gave to this.” But he conceded: “We can of course always aim to learn and improve further.
“These events also bring in vital income that helps protect the frontline council services residents rely on.”
AEG’s contract means Victoria Park is out of action for less of the summer, it has pointed out, because All Points East is the only festival being run there.
Jim King, executive vice-president at AEG Presents, said: “We are thrilled to be returning to Victoria Park for a second year with an artist bill as exciting as our first year.
“We’re expanding our programme of free midweek entertainment and again working alongside some of the best local suppliers to produce an incredible 10 days of entertainment with something for everyone.”
An exclusive pre-sale for Hackney Gazette readers who live in Hackney or Tower Hamlets – the two boroughs that border the park – will go live on Thursday at 9am. Go to axs.com/gazette and enter the password APEGAZETTE when prompted.
Regular tickets go on sale the following day.
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