London's coolest boutique festival is back, and we're thrilled to be hosting a Saturday stage at the Victoria Park two-dayer.
Lovebox has always been one to strike a balance of crowd pleasing and cutting edge lineups (while being family friendly), and this year the event is providing extra-curriculars in the form of a roller disco, slam poetry, ping pong tables and various art installations.
With sunny skies predicted for both Friday and Saturday, here's what we think you should be doing this weekend…
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Spot Snoop Dogg and Cypress Hill hanging out
There's no denying it, the D oh double G is an icon. The same can be said for the Cali stoner hip-hop trio, who're playing the previous day – and since they're all mates, we imagine the two West Coast acts will be having some down time and kicking back in the VIP. Either way, both performances are set to be an unmissable selection of old skool classics. Here's hoping for 'Gin And Juice' and 'Hits From The Bong'.
Get seduced by some neo-soul
New York's Lion Babe and Montreal's Kaytranada are two acts on the bill pushing that slinky, Dilla-channelling, funked-out sound that goes hand-in-hand with a cider in the sun.
Hit up the Clash x Soundcrash stage
Yeah, we're biased, but we've got a pretty staggering lineup in the Big Top on Saturday. That's Flume, Squarepusher, Special Request and Dornik, alongside live sets from Nils Frahm, Maribou State and Howling. We don't know why you'd want to go anywhere else, really…
Hear some record bag rarities at Despacio
The 50,000 watt, custom-built soundsystem of 2ManyDJs and James Murphy, fresh from its stint at Glastonbury, is setting up shop in Victoria Park. The mammoth party starter will be on site both days, so make sure you venture toward its 11-foot speaker stacks to hear some disco euphoria, techno workouts or maybe even the theme tune to Grange Hill.
Spy a secret set over a peri-peri wing
Lovebox isn't all about the headliners. Last year eagle eyes spotted Jess Glynne and others doing impromptu performance on the top of the Nando's Cock o'Van, so who knows – maybe we'll see Jessie Ware, Novelist, Little Simz or Skepta taking to the chicken-stuffed vehicle this time round?
If poultry's not your thing, a host of London's street food stars will be popping up around the site to feed hungry mouths, including Voodoo Rays, Mama's Jerk Station and Le Bun.
Let Raury enlighten you
This 19 year-old ATL-ien has an inspired, wise outlook on life – and has gained the admiration of Kanye and Gilles Peterson with his offerings of psych-country, folk and rap. He's only played a handful of UK shows so far, so don't miss his Saturday slot where he's bound to sneak in some previews of his keenly-awaited forthcoming album.
Keep going after dark
You've been drinking and dancing in the sun all day, but that doesn't mean the fun has to end at quarter to 11 (Lovebox's curfew). When night falls there's seven official afterparties to choose from in the vicinity – with Oneman playing Shapes, Bonobo at Oval Space and MK at the Laundry.
Saturday's tickets are all sold out, but you can still grab Friday and Weekend tickets here.
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Words: Felicity Martin
Photo Credit:Victor Frankowski
