Another day, another fab lineup of artists at All Points East 2022. We’re talking H.E.R, Mura Must, Charlie XCX, Koffee, Enny and we can not forget, headliners Disclosure.
We had glorious sunshine, great company, and a comparatively easy journey there this time; some people told me through conversation that it took them over two hours to get there the week before thanks to the TFL strikes 😔…
To start off an eclectic day, was Reggae and Dancehall’s next biggest star. As the drummer began the beats and trumpeters played the first long note to introduce Koffee, who ran out onto the main stage, to the loud cheers of an animated crowd, the fitting opening line to her beloved hit rang out: “Koffee come in like a rapture, and everybody get captured….”. Some did the rockaway (it’s all about the shoulders swagging it right to left to the dancehall beat), others did the bogo (extending the arms up in a circular motion and leaning back with it), the rest simply swayed their arms from side to side. Whatever your moves, this accomplished 22 year-old captured the audience's attention and kept us all captivated throughout.
Later, H.E.R stepped up, playing the electric guitar like Brian May from Queen, to her mellow beats and soulful rhythms; surprising most people and raising eyebrows from an audience more used to seeing her sing RnB slow-jams or play acoustic sets. Seemingly there isn't an instrument this lady can’t play, also taking to the drums in mind-blowing fashion, as she surprised the crowd further with the sheer level of her skills as musician that she displayed on stage (and good for her!). This lady’s smooth vocals are second-to-none and she’s definitely someone to see perform again given the opportunity.
Mura Musa was then on hand to put smiles on everyone’s faces and get the party geared up for Disclosure later in the day. The name of the Guernsey-born electronic music producer, songwriter and instrumentalist sounded familiar, but I wasn’t sure. Really I didn’t care as the electronic and hip-hop beats got everyone jumping, or copying the moves of the two vocalists who joined him on stage across the performance.
A few hours later and it was time for Disclosure. As fireworks went off behind the dark, mysterious main stage and the impressive lights lent a club vibe to proceedings that seemed to transform Victoria Park into Printworks, the duo navigated their way through a set filled with fan favourites - from Fatoumata Diawara collab ‘Douha (Mali Mali)’ and Raye collab 'Waterfall', through to 'When a Fire Starts to Burn' and 'Energy', each met with cheers of recognition from a crowd perfectly happy to take heed of the old adage to dance like nobody was watching.
And just to cap off the performance, who else came on stage but the one and only Sam Smith to sing the huge breakthrough smash hit ‘Latch’, and be absolutely pitch perfect in doing so. What a treat!
