Sad Girl Summer: Mitski at All Points East
A day full of indie powerhouses in London.
Photo: Mitski by @ishashahphotography
As any good day going to see a gig starts, this one started with train delays. Travel into and around London was beset with severe delays and cancellations. Luckily, this is England, where this kind of thing is par for the course, so with some rearranging and rushing from one Underground platform to the next, lost time was almost entirely made up. Having defeated the ordeals of British public transport, we had arrived at Victoria Park, where the day’s activities would be taking place. It was very quickly apparent that the previous days of the weekend’s events, as well as the festival’s six years of experience, were put to good use. Signage to the festival, accompanied by stewards in high-vis vests paved a clear and easy path to the event. Alongside the route, bins were provided at regular intervals, this continued in the queues, as well as throughout the event space itself (with a mix of general and recycling receptacles). Queueing itself was well organised with a good amount of security and screening.
Once inside and ready for food and drinks, it was noticeable just how many options there were, with a selection of food trucks; all with international and varied menus, which also catered to vegan diets. As well as several brand themed bar areas, there were also plenty of ways to get a free drink; including free water stations (although not as plentiful as one might hope) and several carts handing out free colas.
Having arrived early enough there were still benches available to enjoy your food and drinks on, these were scattered nearby the food trucks and provided a nice rest area. If you weren’t able to nab one of these however, there was still plenty of floor space available far away from the crowds where you could eat and drink peacefully.
The VIP area, right by the main stage, was bedecked with much more organised seating, including benches, bar tables, bean bags and chairs, most of which were covered from the sun. The area also provided its own dedicated mix of food trucks and a well-manned bar. As well as the main draw: private toilets. Although the main event area was fully stocked on porta-loos, the VIP area’s toiletry amenities were much more sufficient.
The only drawback of the main area was the solitary merch stand. Although manned by several attendants, there were simply too many people in one place, causing long queues. The choice of merch was mostly good, including several designs for the headliner and the event itself, lacking only in designs of some of the other artists performing that day.
All in all, a well-maintained and organised setting for a day of music.
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Photo: Sir Chloe by Sharon Lopez (@sharonlopez_)
Liana Flores, performing on the West Stage, provided a charming start to the day. Although watched from afar while enjoying a late lunch, it was obvious Liana brought a positive and entertaining energy to her performance. With the sound of an acoustic guitar bringing both upbeat and mellow tunes, intercut with the screams of her fans (heard very clearly even from a distance). Liana Flores was a great way to start the day off, giving us exactly what this section of All Points East promised. A Sad Girl Summer.
Having eaten and rested, the next stop was the huge blue tent labelled the North Arena, where Sir Chloe was kicking it up a notch with some alt-rock. A great set including Salivate, Michelle and a new song which is yet to be released.
This talented band really knew how to work their crowd, with a brilliant and energetic stage presence, serving up a fresh shot of Rock espresso, charging the day up. A good kick into what ultimately would be a more melancholic day. Somebody who would be fresh into the scene that this festival day provided would certainly find Sir Chloe to be both a good example of and a great introduction to it.
Photo: Ethel Cain by Bethan Miller (@bethanmillerco)
Past the North Arena and several themed bars, lay the main stage, The East Stage, where, after some drinks in the VIP area, it was time to watch the incredible Ethel Cain. Have you ever felt nostalgia for that part of the southern USA where, in the deep heat of the summer, with cicadas playing their droning song, you sit by an old farmhouse with peeling white paint, wondering about the deep, almost holy, love you had lost just a year past, and how much it hurts? I certainly don’t. Purely because I’ve never lived it. But Ethel Cain… Ethel Cain makes you feel like you’ve been there and you’ve lived it. Lived it deeply.
With her mix of ballads, country and alt-rock, Ethel Cain and her band provided a deeply engaging and moving performance, which you would want to relive again and again.
Up next, after indulging in the classic British tradition (more drinks at the bar), another performance on the East Stage. This time it’s beabadoobee, a darling of alternative pop. Playing her great hits, and really giving her fans exactly what they came for. With a charming on-stage presence, knowing how to work those small silent moments in between songs expertly, and the great work of her band and crew, she presented a well-crafted and pleasurable performance. Especially when it came to her surprising prowess with more than one guitar. This pop icon definitely added to the theme of the festival. Another set of sad girl anthems for the summer.
Photo: beabadoobee by Sharon Lopez (@sharonlopez_)
After a day of incredible performances, interspersed with catching glimpses of other amazing acts here and there, when the time allowed, such as Towa Bird, Arlo Parks, Suki Waterhouse, and Wasia Project, it was time for the headliner. Mitski.
What is there to say about Mitski that hasn’t already been said? A tough question seeing as she brought her very best to this headlining performance.
Photo: Mitski by Bethan Miller (@bethanmillerco)
As the set began, the light of the day was turning into a memory as a golden moon peaked out from beyond the flats lying at the border of Victoria Park. And it began as it meant to go on, with a striking stage presence and an incredibly emotionally charged performance. Performance truly is the right word. The stage was surrounded by the band engulfed in darkness and, in the centre, a slightly raised platform. A platform enshrined in red light, on which Mitski provided us with what can only be described as expertly choreographed physical theatre.
Just as with a production of a play, there are almost no breaks, continuous story, emotion and music is what hits you, and hits you it does. Mitski’s lyrical genius along with the rest of the set-up leads to a tightening of the chest. A tightening like a bittersweet goodbye; a first kiss, or a last kiss. Her music grabs you and does not let go.
The breaks which did occur showed that any first-timer to Mitski would notice the shocking, yet delightful, difference between person and persona. All in all, Mitski is a true and honest powerhouse of the industry and was absolutely the correct choice to cap a day of inspiring music and musicians.
All Points East 2024 isn’t over yet — get yourself a ticket for the LCD Soundsystem headline tomorrow (23rd) here.