All Points East Festival Review: A Hazy Dustland Soundtracked by Pop Powerhouses

Victoria Park, London

“But it wouldn't be nothing without a woman or a girl...”

East London's beloved park once again became the epicentre of east London’s late-summer euphoria, as All Points East welcomed the masses for a day dominated by female powerhouses amidst pop's wider realms.

As the dust hung thick in the air, encasing East London's public vicinity, pop singer Jade strutted onto the East Stage with surefire confidence, her set weaving between solo cuts like recent single ‘Plastic Box’ and ‘Angel of My Dreams’ and Little Mix-recited hits ‘Wasabi’ and ‘Touch’. Elsewhere, Montell Fish leaned into rawness, asking if there were any “freaky fans” in the crowd before a bruising alt-R&B performance, while NAO radiated warmth, dedicating ‘Antidote’ to her two children – a lockdown collaboration with Adekunle Gold that still brims with a notable tenderness amongst a similar realm. Trapped within the confines of the Cupra North Arena, Sienna Spiro, who has risen through TikTok’s endless scroll, gave an impressive performance that swirled modern pop with jazzified edges.

The day’s true turning point came as FKA twigs stepped in for the highly-anticipated Doechii slot. Any sense of disappointment evaporated the moment she appeared on the West Stage, greeted by a roar that gave way to silence as she delivered a tear-rendering a cappella rendition of ‘Cellophane’. Confiding heartfelt warmth and appreciation for the glowing support tonight, it was a performance that invariably transcended expectation, leaving the sense that Twigs, rather than anyone else, had triumphantly defined the festival.

The day's headliner, Raye, came fully-equipped: full band, horn section, and the Flames Collective choir; akin to a modern coronation. Casting a cover of James Brown’s 'It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World', the artist pointedly emphasised its famous refrain: “But it wouldn’t be nothing without a woman or a girl.”; the sheer magnitude of her headlining set overwhelming in moments. “This is the kind of moment a little girl dreams of. Thank you, London, for making a little girl’s dreams come true.” Hits like ‘Worth It’ turned into call-and-response anthems, ‘Prada’ arrived with pyro and flames to ignite the night, and new track 'Where The Hell Is My Husband?'. ‘Escapism’ proved a fitting climax to a day heavy with impressive performances caked under a thick blanket of ubiquitous dust clinging throughout.

An impressive day once again ensued at this year's edition of All Points East Festival; the hazy, dust-filled landscape clinging to every attendee, the sound system invariably remaining a stubborn flaw, but with standout turns across the bill, including a festival-saving masterclass from FKA Twigs, the promise remains impenetrably alluring.

Tickets and further info for All Points East Festival can be found here.

Photos are courtesy of Bethan Miller whose work can be found here.