All Points East 2019 kicked off yesterday with career exhilarating performances from The Chemical Brothers, Primal Scream, Hot Chip, Kate Tempest, Róisín Murphy, Danny Brown, Little Simz and more.
The Chemical Brothers headlined the East Stage to an ecstatic packed-out crowd. Following the release of their ninth studio album No Geography, the iconic electronic duo treated Victoria Park to an expansive multi-sensory performance - featuring 3D visuals, piercing lasers and even colossus robots on stage.
Armed with a plethora of new music, the Chems kicked off proceedings with several new tracks including ‘MAH’ and the acid-infected number ‘Free Yourself’. The rapturously received LP was another hallmark of the duo’s illustrious creative output, who have firmly cemented themselves as one of electronic music’s most celebrated acts.
Of course, it wouldn’t have been a true Chemical Brothers performance without hits from their extensive back-catalogue. From the 1999 anthem ‘Hey Boy Hey Girl’ to the tessellating ‘Saturate’, it was a show that perfectly encapsulated each era of the Chems. ‘Galvanize’ was another fine example of their ability to create a track that is truly timeless, an impressive feat given their career spans 30+ years.
Topping the bill on the North Stage was Primal Scream, whose legendary frontman Bobby Gillespie strolled out donning a striking pink suit before belting out a hit-filled set, culminating with a hat trick of ‘Loaded’, ‘Country Girl’ and ‘Get Your Rocks Off’. Never not without an esteemed entourage, Kate Moss, Florence Welch and Sadie Frost were among the famous faces in attendance.
The opening day for the West Stage was closed by electronic alchemist Jon Hopkins, whose hypnotic visuals captivated a full house. Dropping tracks from his recent album Singularity intertwined with his crossover 2013 masterpiece Immunity, Hopkins’ continues to set the standard for live electronica that feels just as readymade for festivals as it does the dark confides of Fabric.
Little Simz declared it felt good to be back on home turf in London during her performance, before launching into a mesmerising version of ‘Therapy’, from her acclaimed new album Grey Area. Hip Hop auteur Danny Brown was up next, dressed head to toe in a matching floral suit and delighted the audience with a cover of Black Sabbath’s seminal ‘Iron Man’, followed by a crowd pleasing ‘Ain’t It Funny’.
On the North Stage, Kate Tempest opened her captivating set poignantly with 2015’s prescient ‘Europe Is Lost’, before performing favourites from her revered last record Let Them Eat Chaos. No less than six new tracks followed, all taken from her forthcoming album The Book Of Traps And Lessons, due out next month.
Other key performances from yesterday included the beloved electro pop five piece Hot Chip who tore up the main stage with back to back hits, the transcendent live show from UK’s finest Spiritualized, while dance music’s most in demand producer Peggy Gou hosted the impressive RayBan Studios X Stage, closed in style by cherished club collective Optimo. Today we welcome The Strokes’ first UK show in four years, as well as The Raconteurs' first UK festival slot in over eight years. Also featuring is Johnny Marr, Interpol, Parquet Courts and national treasure, Jarvis Cocker. Closing weekend one is pop icon for our time Christine & The Queens, headlining her first festival and biggest show to date.
The following weekend sees Bring Me The Horizon, Mumford & Sons and Bon Iver headline, with a supporting cast that includes Run The Jewels, Dizzee Rascal and John Grant.
