Getting to Victoria Park for All Points East is basically a military operation, but with more glitter and questionable hydration choices. You’ll spend the morning staring at the weather app, refreshing it every twelve seconds. You pack a bag that contains a waterproof jacket, a spare t-shirt, and three different forms of snack, because you’re not an animal. It’s the same level of prep you’d do for a trip to the moon, except the moon has a bar that charges nine pounds for a can of warm lemonade.
You arrive and the first thing you notice is the smell. It’s a beautiful, confusing cocktail of grass, sun cream, fried halloumi, and someone’s probably-not-approved aftershave. You find your spot, which is inevitably behind a very tall person who decided to wear a flag as a cape. But you don’t care. You’ve conquered the trains, the queues, and the portable toilet lottery. You’re here for the vibe.
The “Waiting For the Headliners” Limbo
There’s always that two-hour stretch where you’re not quite sure what to do with your hands. You check out the smaller stage, where a band is playing something very earnest that reminds you of a TV show you stopped watching. You buy a drink, immediately spill a third of it on your shoe, and then have a deep, philosophical conversation with a stranger about which stage has the shortest bar queue. It’s basically a social experiment sponsored by Monster Energy.
You start to feel the energy shift around 7 PM. The crowd thickens, the air gets a little heavier with bass frequencies from the main stage soundcheck. It’s like standing on a train platform and feeling the rumble of the approaching express. Your shoulders drop, and you stop fiddling with your phone. The main event is coming, and it’s bringing a subwoofer with very bad intentions.
All Points East headliner announced: Chase & Status present RTRN II
