14 sensational artists you can’t miss at this year’s All Points East festival
This year’s All Points East lineup features some amazing artists.
All Points East is returning to London’s Victoria Park this Bank Holiday weekend with plenty of LGBT+ talent on the lineup.
The festival will take over Victoria Park from 27-30 August and there’s some incredible acts to watch.
This year’s All Points East is being headlined by big names including Jamie xx, Jorja Smith, London Grammar, Foals and Bombay Bicycle Club.
Of course these acts are likely to be on your list of artists you need to see at the festival, but there’s others on the lineup that you should check out.
This includes a number of LGBT+ artists with singer-songwriters Arlo Parks and Liz Lawrence to DJs Octo Octa and Maya Jane Coles on the bill.
Tickets for All Points East are still available with prices starting from £78.95 and you can get them from Ticketmaster and See Tickets.
Find out below the best LGBT+ artists you need to catch across the weekend as well as others that should be on your list.
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LGBT+ artists at All Points East
Arlo Parks
When: Saturday 28 August
Arlo Parks recently won Best New Artist at the BRIT Awards – she was also nominated for Album of the Year – and it’s no surprise when you give her debut Collapsed in Sunbeams a listen. It features stand out tracks including “Eugene”, “Hurt”, “Caroline” and “Black Dog” and she’ll take the album on a sold out UK and US tour over the next year. So catching Arlo during a festival slot might be your best chance to catch the artist at the moment as she’s a hot ticket.
Låpsley
When: Friday 27 August
Låpsley followed up her powerful 2016 debut album with Through Water which was released just as the world went into lockdown. If you gave it a listen it was definitely a soothing tonic to the world during that time thanks to its spoken word moments against the backdrop of watery sounds, mixed in with the pop-infused tracks like “Womxn” and delicate moments like “Speaking of the End”. The artist also came out as bisexual in June 2020 with an emotional post on the penultimate day of Pride Month.
Romy
When: Saturday 28 August
One third of The xx, Romy released her debut solo single “Lifetime” in 2020 and it’s a certified pop/dance banger. Hopefully it’s a sign of what’s to come from her and she’ll likely showcase the track and more during her All Points East set.
Joesef
When: Friday 27 August
According to All Points East, Glasgow singer Joesef’s first gig sold out before he had even released a single track so the rising star is pretty popular. Some of his recent releases include “Late to the Party” and “Does It Make You Feel Good?” as well as “I Wonder Why” a collaboration with fellow festival performer Loyle Carner. Plus during Pride Month 2021 he tweeted these memes, so we’re fans.
Octo Octa
Octo Octa is a Brooklyn-based producer and DJ.
When: Monday 30 August
Octo Octa is a Brookly-based trans DJ and producer and she’ll perform a set on the 6Music stage on the Monday of the festival. The APE website says she “is constantly attempting to make auto-biographical work that will have you smiling, crying, shouting, and dancing,” so cheers to that!
HAAi
When: Saturday 28 August
HAAi was the Saturday night resident for London club Phonox until 2018 and has since played shows and festivals across the globe. She mixes Thai and Turkish funk, psychedelic records and Nigerian and Kenyan beats with techno to create a unique experience for every audience.
Liz Lawrence
When: Monday 30 August
Singer-songwriter Liz Lawrence is performing at the festival and fans can expect to hear some five newly released tracks from 2021 which feature personal lyrics against an indie pop sound. They follow up previous releases “California Screaming” and “Hope (Or Something Like It)” which caught the attention of BBC Radio 1 Introducing and Spotify.
Maya Jane Coles
When: Monday 30 August
British-Japanese DJ and producer Maya Jane Coles has played everywhere from the Tate Modern to MOMA, cranes, hotels, car parks, football stadiums and deserts and now she’ll bring her set to All Points East. She typically plays techno music while her alias Nocturnal Sunshine creates darker, bass-driven production – we’re intrigued.
Other acts to see at All Points East
Goat Girl
When: Monday 30 August
Goat Girl a post-punk four-piece from South London who have released two acclaimed albums including On All Fours earlier this year. They recently told the Guardian that they’re “p****d off” that they’re not taken as seriously as their male counterparts in the post-punk genre including Fontaines DC who received a Grammy nod. So you can expect a brash, emotionally charged and fun set from the group at All Points East.
Little Simz
When: Saturday 28 August
British female rappers are also not taken as seriously as male counterparts, so enter: Little Simz. She has been releasing music since 2010 when she dropped her mixtape Stratosphere, but her star is quickly on the rise partly thanks to her 2019 LP Grey Area which received a Mercury Prize nod. The album features bangers including 101 FM (see above) and has quickly been followed up with EP Drop 6 and upcoming album Sometimes I Might Be Introvert so you can expect a high-energy, jam-packed set.
Mahalia
Another artist who should be one of Britain’s biggest is Mahalia who’s album Love and Compromise from 2018 still sounds as fresh today as it did then which is a feat during the streaming era. All Points East crowds can expect some big R&B moments with “Simmer” and “I Wish I Missed My Ex” and some more chilled out moments with “Square 1” and “Sober” as well as – fingers crossed – new material.
Maisie Peters
This might be your last chance to see Maisie Peters as a non-headliner. The singer-songwriter who first gained popularity on YouTube has recently signed to Ed Sheeran’s record label, so if his career trajectory is anything to go by then Maisie is the next big thing. Her debut studio album You Signed Up for This is being released on the same weekend as All Points East – there won’t be much time to learn the words but you can always bop along.
Olivia Dean
Olivia Dean was named Amazon Music’s 2021 breakthrough artist of the year, following in big footsteps including Arlo Parks. During the pandemic the singer drove across the country in a bright yellow van to perform songs to socially-distance audiences, showcasing her stunning soulful sound. She recently released her new EP Growth which features “Be My Own Boyfriend” and “Slowly”.
Lianne La Havas
If you’re not familair with Lianne La Havas then where have you been?! The singer-songwriter released the best album of her career so far in 2020. The self-titled LP – her third overall – features gorgeous jazz, soul and funk sounds on tracks including “Sour Flower”, “Can’t Fight” and “Paper Thin”. Her set at All Points East will finally give fans a chance to hear the album live, so it won’t be one to miss.
