If you’re a music lover, there’s only one place to be this coming August: All Points East at Victoria Park. Stretched over two weekends, the festival brings together musicians from all genres – from Stormzy to Haim – to spend some long, sunny (hopefully) days dancing and soaking in the good vibes.
Electronic fans even get a day entirely to themselves: Field Day. Taking place on August 19, Field Day will see giants like Bonobo and Aphex Twin taking to the stage alongside up-and-coming acts like yunè pinku.
But with so much to see, what’s the best way to get your electronic fix? We break down six artists who definitely are worth making the time to see.
Jon Hopkins
London native Hopkins is one of Field Day’s bigger acts, and for good reason. He’s been going since 1997 and originally trained as a pianist, studying at the Royal College of Music between the ages of 12 and 17. Though he eventually decided not to become a classic musician, he spent his late teens touring with Imogen Heap and began programming his own music from the age of 14.
Despite citing Acen and Plaid as early influences, Hopkins’ style veers very much towards the mellow: beautifully eerie, melancholic tunes, chilled beats and spare instrumentals. It’s a style that transcends genres, perfect for bringing some relaxed afternoon energy to Victoria Park.
Sudan Archives
For those looking for something a little bit different, Sudan Archives should definitely be on your list. Born Brittney Denise Parks, she began playing violin as a child and described herself as a “punk” growing up.
Not for her the band her father encouraged her to form in her teens (a pop outfit called N2). Instead, she went onto become a successful solo artist, combining her violin playing with rapping and influences that stretch from African musicians Francis Bebey and Asim Gorashi to electronica. It’s a sound that’s uniquely hers – and has met with widespread critical acclaim, especially for most recent album Natural Brown Prom Queen.
Moderat
Bringing a slice of Berlin techno to East London is dance music supergroup Moderat. Formed from two separate acts – Sascha Ring, of Apparat, and Modeselektor’s Gernot Bronsert and Sebastian Szary – Moderat has been on the go since 2002.
However, seeing them live is another thing entirely. Despite releasing four albums, the group was actually on hiatus between 2017 and 2021 and have only recently started playing live again, reforming after the pandemic and releasing their most recent album in 2022. Famed for their synth-heavy sound, most often overlaid by Ring’s delicate vocals, they’re best known for singles Bad Kingdom and Easy Prey. Definitely a must-see.
Jayda G
Jayda G has had a good year – in addition to opening Glastonbury’s newest club venue The Levels, she’s released new album Guy, played a Boiler Room set and is currently touring Europe. All of which means now is the perfect time to catch the Canadian producer and DJ at the height of her musical powers.
Best known for previous track Both Of Us (which catapulted her into mainstream success), G started her career DJing on the side before moving to Berlin in 2016 – her subsequent EP Both of Us / Are You Down was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording in November 2020. Best known for the way she fuses house music with disco, funk, soul and boogie, it makes for a high-energy set: perfect for a summer’s day.
yunè pinku
When Romy Madley-Croft nominates your song as their track of the summer, you know you’re onto something good. So it proves with yunè pinku, who has already been marked as one to watch by several different publications.
Hailing from London and only 20 years old, the Malaysian-Irish artist grew up surrounded by music and eventually segued into writing and producing her own tracks. Fusing rave music with her distinctive vocals, drawing on both garage and hyperpop (and everything in between), she’s a force to be reckoned with. Top marks for early single Bluff, which aims to unpack “the paranoia you have sometimes when you go clubbing.”
Art School Girlfriend
Making a DJ appearance on the day will be niche dance act Art School Girlfriend. The project of singer-producer-musician Polly Mackey, her music is all about stripped-back sound and longing vocals.
Her first album, Is It Light Where You Are, was released in the wake of a breakup with her long-term girlfriend and draws on both ambient sound and synths to create light, immersive songs that Mackey overlays with her voice. Also worth checking out: her recent cover of Prince’s I Would Die 4 U, featuring backing vocals from Marika Hackman, and her new album Soft Landing, which is out on August 4.
