All Points East 2024: The perfect weekend for fans of all kinds of great music.
With a stellar Saturday line-up featuring rap's rising star Loyle Carner, the iconic Nas, the soulful Lianne La Havas, and the talented Lola Young, All Points East Weekend 1 delivered unforgettable performances. The weekend continued with a Sunday that was an indie fan's dream, showcasing Mitski, Beabadoobee, Arlo Parks, Ethel Cain, and more. All Points East curates line-ups like no other festival. Here are some of our favourite sets from weekend one.
Photo by @BETHANMILLERCO
The smoky, soulful sounds of Arlo Parks were something to behold.
Performing on the Cupra North Stage, the Londoner demonstrated how extensive touring has honed her live show into a deeply moving and powerful experience.
Arlo Parks’ poetic lyrics, combined with her exceptional live band, created the perfect atmosphere within the festival tent. A charged, rocked-up rendition of ‘Hurt’ resonated strongly with the crowd, while ‘Too Good’ delivered a burst of fresh, funky energy. Introducing her breakthrough single ‘Black Dog’ as one of the “most important songs” she’s ever written, Parks dedicated the track to the All Points East audience. Overall, Parks delivered a captivating, transportive, and truly immersive performance.
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The feverish reception that greeted the arrival of Beabadoobee was testament to her rising status.
It won’t be long before this immensely talented young artist is headlining festivals. Fresh off the number one success of her third studio album This is How Tomorrow Moves, the Filipino-born Londoner exuded a newfound confidence that radiated from the stage and captivated the crowd. Backed by her versatile band, she powered through the intricate, melodic passages of her alt-rock repertoire.
The lead single from her chart-topping album, "Take a Bite," was a hook-filled triumph, but the set was packed with highlights, making it feel like a well-earned victory lap following her recent success. "There's so many of you. I just released an album. I found out two days ago that it got to number one—thanks for helping out," she told the audience.
Beabadoobee’s evocative guitar anthems dripped with nostalgic charm. "10:36" sparked a mass singalong, while she dedicated a beautifully performed "Ever Seen" to her boyfriend. The 2000s-inspired guitar pop anthems resonated deeply, underscoring her growing influence.
Photo by @SHARONLOPEZ
Londoner Loyle Carner topped a festival bill for the first time in a place not just familiar to him, but his local park that he visits often.
Throughout his headline set, Loyle Carner proved exactly why he deserved the spotlight. Drawing from his three critically acclaimed albums, the Mercury Prize nominee and BRIT School alum showcased the powerful blend of retro and contemporary hip hop, enhanced by his unique British perspective.
Reflecting on his influences, Carner paid homage to hip hop legend Nas, saying, "Without him, there’s no me." Years after supporting Nas, Carner found the tables turned as Nas joined him on this monumental night. The stage was packed with guests. John Agard reprised his iconic ‘Half-Caste’ poem on the Hugo track ‘Georgetown,’ while Tom Misch, Jordan Rakei, and young activist Athian Akec also joined Carner. Echoing Ezra Collective’s Femi Koleoso's earlier call for unity, Carner spoke out against division, referencing recent anti-fascist protests in Walthamstow.
Musically, the performance was a triumph. The soulful sax intro of ‘Ain’t Nothing Changed’ captivated the crowd, as did the powerful delivery of ‘Nobody Knows’ and the Rakei-assisted ‘Loose Ends.’
Peppering his set with heartfelt poems, Carner offered the audience moments of homespun wisdom, honest reflections on anxiety, and profound ruminations. As the set closed with the electrifying ‘Speed of Plight,’ Carner expressed his awe, saying, "It’s blown my mind." Returning for an encore, he delighted fans with ‘Ottolenghi,’ as fireworks lit up the sky, bringing the night to a spectacular close.
Photo by @SHARONLOPEZ
Nas took to the East Stage armed with a collection of era-defining hip hop anthems, facing a crowd worthy of a headliner.
Dressed in a tan jacket and trousers paired with a black tee, the East Coast legend prowled the stage with purpose. A DJ and live drum kit amplified the sound to earth-shattering levels, as Nas unleashed bar after bar of his intricate wordplay.
The audience responded in kind, waving their arms in unison and showering the rapper with admiration. "It’s a blessing to be here with you… y’all my cousins. Every time I come here, year after year, it’s a blessing," he said. Nas seamlessly mashed up Eurythmics’s ‘Sweet Dreams’ with his own, before transitioning into ‘The World is Yours,’ holding the crowd’s undivided attention.
Nas performed tracks spanning his entire career, from his iconic 1994 debut Illmatic to the latest Magic 3, leaving no era untouched. ‘If I Ruled the World’ sent the crowd into a frenzy, and with a raised fist, Nas closed out the set with ‘One Mic’ from Stillmatic. In doing so, he reaffirmed why he remains a force unto himself in the hip hop world.
Photo by @ISHASHAHPHOTOGRAPHY
Ethel Cain presented her gothic soaked guitar songs to a huge, enthusiastic crowd that lapped up every note on the East Stage.
Tracks from her acclaimed 2022 debut album Preacher’s Daughter were a hit with the crowd. "Thoroughfare" saw Cain seated at the front of the stage, playing a harmonica while her band built to a powerful crescendo. “It’s been a long time since we played in one of London’s beautiful parks,” she fondly noted, leaving fans eager for her next visit.
The brooding, moody undertones of "Gibson Girl" created a captivating atmosphere, while her mesmerizing cover of "Bette Davis Eyes" added to the allure. "American Teenager" closed out a stellar set, filled with dynamic, spine-tingling drama.
Photo by @BETHANMILLERCO
Lianne La Havas took the stage in a leather jacket and kilt, delivering a performance that showcased the brilliance of her exceptional discography.
Her set was a seamless blend of liquid guitar riffs and soulful melodies, creating an immersive experience for all in attendance.
A captivating rendition of ‘Midnight’ allowed her voice to explore its full range, from a delicate whisper to a powerful roar, with the audience joining in as backing vocalists. Standout moments included the dynamic, staccato rhythms of ‘Bittersweet,’ and a seamless interpolation of Erykah Badu’s ‘Didn’t Cha Know’ into the neo-soul glow of ‘Paper Thin.’ La Havas’s smooth, rich vocals flowed effortlessly through her laidback tracks. As she left the East London stage, she teased the crowd with the promise of "new music coming soon."
Photo by @ISHASHAHPHOTOGRAPHY
Good Neighbours delivered their arena-sized choruses to a packed tent at the CUPRA North Arena. Despite the early afternoon slot, their grand, expansive tunes kept the energy high. Impressively, several tracks matched the anthemic quality of their hit 2024 single ‘Home,’ standing shoulder to shoulder with it. Other standout performances include Wasia Project, Lola Young, and of course, Mitski.