All Points East returned to London’s Victoria Park this August for the 8th time since 2018; a common feature in the seasons buzz conversations among friends groups and online communities with a programme that once again demonstrates the festival’s ability to bring together a diverse offering of genre-bending acts and big industry names in tandem with emerging artists across multiple stages. Let us not forget the running joke (pun definitely intended) of people recollecting the jog required between main stages, made even more dramatic this year with the backdrop of a dusty field on account of the perpetual sunshine of summer ‘26. Among the bills were wider community programmes, creating an event series that feels as much about discovery and shared experience as it does about the headline acts.
Audiences were treated to a mix of R&B, soul, hip-hop, indie, alternative, rock and electronic music, embodying the broad musical identity All Points East has established in London’s summer calendar. Alongside the music, American Express is among the key partners, with its on-site experience offering festival-focused activities and spaces for card-members, while other brands including Flannels, K-Way, Converse, Bumble, Magnum, Meller, Bacardi, Red Bull and White Claw contributed activations spanning fashion, music, games, hospitality and social experiences.
Wordplay attended the opening day Friday, 21st August headlined by Jorja Smith and Tems, with the day curated around an impressive R&B, soul and alternative line-up that included Nia Archives, Destin Conrad, Olympia Vitalis, Maverick Sabre, Odeal, and kwn among others. In between the ticketed shows, 24–27 August formed the free ‘In The Neighbourhood’ programme, extending the festival beyond its major headline concerts and bringing an element of local community. Covering ten calendar days in all with six ticketed music events, Wordplay also attended the 28th and 29th where Tyler the Creator took over Victoria Park across two consecutive headline dates, featuring a plethora of phenomenal artists including Rex Orange County, Vince Staples, DJ Mustard, Denzel Curry, Khamari, Syd, Clipse and YEBBA to name a few (definitely got steps in over these days I can assure you), creating a wide-ranging programme that swung attendees between hip-hop, alternative, R&B and rock, not to mention the surprise pop up of A$AP Rocky alongside Tyler on the second evening.