Lovebox is Ten
Glass picks five unmissable acts ahead of this weekend’s Victoria Park love-in
This weekend marks the tenth anniversary of the capital’s most eclectic festival in the best possible way – a bolder, more diverse line-up than ever before. Founded in 2002 by Groove Armada’s Andy Cato and Tom Findlay, the event has grown into one of the most anticipated events on the calendar with a madcap blend of stages, acts, cabaret and stage curators. As the music industry’s great and good prepare for Victoria Park, Glass prepares to get fierce, picking out five highlights from the stellar lineup.
Hot Chip
The recent release of Hot Chip’s fourth album reaffirmed what we all already knew about south London’s hipster housecats – they know how to do dancefloor fillers. Translated to the festival stage, expect euphoric moments and mass singalongs fuelled by an undeniable collection of dynamite material. We challenge you to try not dancing to Flutes …
Listen to Flutes
Niki & The Dove
Fronted by the ice-cool Malin Dahlström, the Swedish electro-pop trio – a BBC Sound Of 2012 nomination – have an effortlessly cool edge to their upbeat sound that lifts them above their many, many contemporaries. Plus, with instantly addictive tracks as good as The Drummer and The Fox, theirs is a must-see set on Sunday afternoon.
Listen to The Fox
Groove Armada
After claiming that their live performances were over, legendary DJ duo Groove Armada are back … playing a headline slot at the festival they founded ten years ago. Reason enough to join the love-in, yet add in the fact that the pair have in their armoury some of the finest festival tracks of all time – Superstylin’, and At The River anyone? – mean this will be the set that might just make your summer.
Listen to Superstylin’
Crystal Fighters
The anarchic Basque/London collective blend folk, funk and rave, all thrashed out over heavy basslines and percussion that includes a range of traditional instruments. The resulting maelstrom is perfect party fare for the Lovebox crowd.
Listen to Xstatic Truth
Bastille
Delicate vocals and soaring melodies are par for course for this up-and-coming London quartet, fronted by talented singer-songwriter Dan Smith. Signed to Virgin and with their Overjoyed EP out recently to great acclaim, these rising stars are sure to be commanding bigger stages before too long.
Listen to Overjoyed
by Ben Olsen
Posted: 13 June 2012
