Lovebox 2013 is already shaping up to be the most diverse edition of the festival yet, bringing together an exciting range of talent ranging from the biggest acts around right now (Plan B, Azealia Banks, Jurassic Five, D’Angelo) to rapidly ascendant, newer talent (Duke Dumont, Rudimental, AlunaGeorge); from the cream of the dance crop (Hot Creations, Heidi andHospitality Records all host their own dance arenas) to the hottest names in electronica, such as Flying Lotus, SBTRKT and Gaslamp Killer. Moreover, it all takes place in one of London’s most beloved and beautiful environments, east London’s Victoria Park, and delivered with the vibrant style and indelible excitement that makes it such an unmissable event, year after year.
Which is where Sunday comes in – ever since its relaunch as Lovebox’s most outrageous and freewheeling day back in 2010, with Grace Jones, Hot Chip, Hercules and Love Affair and Peaches getting the party started – it has rapidly cemented itself as one of the most thrilling days out you could possibly have at an inner city music festival. Pulling together elements of the very best gay clubs, underground parties, cutting edge fashion, and emergent artists, Lovebox Sunday is a hedonistic all-dayer like no other. Artists such as Lana Del Rey, Beth Ditto, Patrick Wolf, Chaka Khan, Chic, Chromeo and many more have only served to consolidate its raucous reputation – this is, without a doubt, the destination festival for the fashionistas, tastemakers, and the most discerning lover of underground electronic music.
This year, Lovebox Sunday looks set to up the ante once more. First, the glorious rollcall of eclectic talent. None other than Grammy nominatedelectro-glam duo Goldfrapp are headlining, delivering their slinky, dramatic vein of pop in marvelously theatrical style – and it is going to be unmissable. Alison Goldfrapp herself says, “I am so honoured to have been asked to play at this year’s Lovebox festival. It’s a really special festival and I’m excited to get back on stage in front of what is always one of the best crowds!”
Also joining her is the indomitable Kelis, the hip hop powerhouse who recently showcased an exciting twist in direction with the Dave Sitek produced single “Jerk Ribs” and will soon be making a full blown comeback with her imminent album “Food”. In addition, critically adored London songstress Lianne La Havas will be casting a gorgeous spell with her carefully crafted ballads, Berlin via London twosome Hurts will also be on hand with their beautifully melancholy but also strangely uplifting pop anthems, and one of the hottest new bands around, New York’sMS MR, will also be there to parlay their unique brand of cut and paste “tumblr-pop” to audiences.
One of London’s supreme arbiters of taste will also be present at the festival, with Crack Magazine also hosting a stage, crammed to bursting with acts poised to make the leap from underground sensation to mainstream star. Charli XCX will lead the charge with her strain of off-kilter but infectious pop, alongside Domino’s Jon Hopkins, currently riding high on the release of his universally lauded new album “Immunity”. Teenage popstar in waiting Chloe Howl will also play this stage, along with jangle pop darlings Fear of Men, experimental maestroRoscius, gospel/soul/house It Girl Moko, guitar pop trio The Portillo Moment and Bristol indie heroes Idles.
Speaking of New York, in what will be her first London show in over 10 years, the provocative queen of hip hop known only as Lil Kim will be storming the stage. In addition, world renowned BBC Radio 1 DJ and Get Physical figurehead Heidi is hosting her famous Jackathon, and it is all about dance champions like Frankie Knuckles, Derrick Carter, Heidi and Solomun getting down and dirty with the best and brightest of the younger generation, such as infamous London duo Krankbrother, Bicep and Hercules and Love Affair’s Kim Ann Foxman. Meanwhile, after bringing him back for his first UK gig in 10 years last November, Red Bull Music Academyonce again hosts the inimitable DJ Harvey with his Sarcastic Disco. They’re joined by odd ball London house duo Idjut Boys, Rub n Tug’s Eric Duncan, Norway’s Prins Thomas and Japan’s house leading lights Force of Nature, providing as global a perspective on the genre as you’re likely to find anywhere.
Over on the Big Top, there will be a stunning mixture of talent both established and nascent.Paul Kalkbrenner, the brains behind Berlin Calling’s platinum-selling soundtrack and perhaps Germany’s best known electronic artist, brings nearly two decades’ experience as both a producer and live act for a live headline slot, and is joined by Washington DC’s Benoit and Sergio, atmospheric Canadian duo Purity Ring, and Phil Kieran bringing his live show all the way from Belfast for good effect. Dark, intense experimentalists Factory Floor will also be making an appearance, as will transsexual rapper Mykki Blanco, electropop icon Miss Kittin hil Kieran’s enticing side project Le Carousel, and Zebra Katz, who shot to fame when his debut single “Ima Read” and became a cult hit in the fashion set.
All that is just the start however – Sunday always brings together a parade of fashion’s finest and freakiest, and this is epitomized perfectly in the East Side Strut arena, which brings a distinctively glam and unique twist to the proceedings. There you will find a fantastic roster of influential and innovative DJ talent, from envelope pushing gay disco nights such as Hot Boy Dancing Spot (The Lovely Jonjo), Disco Bloodbath (Dan Beaumont), Paris Acid Ball (Hannah Holland), Dupe’s Den (Mark Ashley Dupe), War’s Kris Di Angelis and of course, the fabulousJodie Harsh, who needs no introduction, ready and willing to really kick things up a notch or several. It is also in that spirit that Lovebox will welcome back the utterly incomparable Jonny Woo – consummate performance artist/entertainer nonpareil – as he puts on a brand new, never before seen show along with groundbreaking DJ troupe Horsemeat Disco, Andrew Weatherall’s A Love From Outer Space crew and, to top it all off, The Underground Rebel Bingo Club who overturn any and all stodgy preconceptions of bingo games with their wild, raucous parties, making this, all in all, a wickedly exciting and compelling day out, and a fittingly rambunctious finale to a fantastic weekend.
LINE-UP SO FAR:
A Love From Outer Space – Andrew Weatherall –– Benoit & Sergio Live – Bicep –– Buttoned Down Disco – Charli XCX – Chlöe Howl –– Dan Beaumont – Derrick Carter – DJ Harvey – Eric Duncan – Factory Floor – Fear of Men –– Force of Nature –– Frankie Knuckles –– Goldfrapp- Hannah Holland – Heidi –– Horse Meat Disco – Hurts –– Idjut Boys- Idles – IntroducingLive – James Hillard – Jim Stanton – Jodie Harsh – Jon Hopkins – Jonny Woo & Friends – Kelis – Kim Ann Foxman – Krankbrother – Kris Di Angelis –– Le Carousel – Lianne La Havas – Lil Kim – Luke Howard – Mark Ashley Dupe –– Miss Kittin (Live) – Moko –– Ms Mr – Mykki Blanco – Paul Kalkbrenner –– Prin Thomas – Purity Ring – Sean Johnston – Severino – Solomun –The Lovely Jonjo – Zebra Katz
