Brief Notes From All Points East 2024 festival (Sunday/Mistski)
Music festivals are one of those opportunities bands and singers can use to show their human side to large crowds and their technical skills and sense of humour. This year’s All Points East delivered more than that and helped many expand their music horizons.
I had the completely unexpected and unplanned pleasure of attending All Points East, a London-based festival in Victoria Park every year, on Sunday, 18th August this year.
When I learned about it, I knew I had to go and see live music again this summer because it’d be for the last time. Knowing Beabadoobee was in the lineup made the decision even easier – I knew at least one artist. The rest of the day would be a path of discovery. (And I also dragged a friend or three so there was something to do all the time.)
The venue was great, everything was well organised, and food, drinks, and other entertainment were plenty.
One more note before we dig into the day: the planes flying over the festival (thanks to all the London airports) gave many of the performances – especially on the East stage – and the event a truly wonderful touch.
Here’s my discovery path of the day, in the very order I experienced the artists.
Strawberry Guy
The first slot at the East Stage certainly made a good impression.
I had no idea what to expect except for a strawberry costume. While the costume expectation let me down, Alex made up for it in the best way possible.
The orchestra-like sound of the keyboard, violin, and cello (I assume as I couldn’t see the stage well) impressed me. The kind of ‘bedroom-social media singer-songwriter experience’ made it to the big stage, which was confirmed during the slot by Alex saying that was his biggest audience so far.
It was a great start to the event, I’d love to go to see more of their music in the future.
Solid performance, definitely future Glastonbury potential.
As most of the guy’s music is more into pop, here’s an example of what we got on Sunday:
F Song (Strings Version) – Behind the Scenes
Sir Chloe
Sir Chloe were a huge surprise from the first tunes. Falling in love with them was easy.
This American take on indie and alternative rock is somewhat different from what you hear from many British bands.
It’s difficult to pinpoint their influences, the music sounds sometimes Nirvana grungy, sometimes incorporating punk rock elements of Pixies, but can also easily slip into the Sleater-Kinney subversiveness of just singing a song about everyday life.
Sir Chloe – ‘Should I’ (Official Lyric Video)
Infinity Song
No words needed.
Infinity Song – ‘Slow Burn’ (Live Performance)
Emily Jeffri
Emily Jeffri deserved a bigger stage.
Electro-synth pop meets dark pop. Super interesting sound. Great melodies and interesting lyrics.
Honestly, a mesmerising performance.
I’m repeating it: Emily Jeffri deserved a bigger stage.
Listen to Emily Jeffri – ‘DO YOU REMEMBER ME’.
Ethel Cain
I didn’t know what to expect from Ethal Cain when we were walking to the stage to get as close to the stage as possible for Beabadoobee.
It’s always good to keep expectations low and be surprised.
The very first thing that caught my ear was the technical skill of the musicians. The quality and precision were at a high level. The sound was a grungier take on southern rock. Music you always want to hear at a good festival.
While the sound talked to me a lot, the singing and lyrics were a bit less – all my fault.
I assumed the sound would be matched with singing of a similar intensity. Expectations can be deceiving. The singing was on the other side of the scale – intimate.
All my friends enjoyed it so take my words with a huge bucket of salt.
Watch Ethel Cain – ‘American Teenager’ (Official Video)
Beabadoobee
Beatrice and the crew packed an extra portion of good old rock sound on their way to the event and probably some more before making it to the stage.
Most of Beabadoobee’s songs don’t come with the punch only rock music can deliver in their studio versions. Festivals sometimes demand more or offer the opportunity to deliver more.
Beatrice switched between six guitars – electric and acoustic – and wasn’t the only one since we also saw Jacob Bugden switch between a few as well.
We got the hits, we got an amazing show, and we certainly saw an artist who’s matured to offer the best they can and who knows how to enjoy it all. From Jacob showing his amazing guitar prowess to Kristi just smiling when she was playing and receiving some of the energy she shared with her music back.
We heard a few songs from Beatopia (2022), including ’10:36′, ‘Care’ from Fake It Flowers (2020), and many more.
Forty minutes for such a great show was not enough and festivals should start realising that.
I love musicians who can adjust to the venue, who can slip into the cosiness and intimacy of a small one:
Beabadoobee – Live at Lafayette (Full Show from YouTube Music Nights)
… or go big on big stages
Beabadoobee – CAMP FLOG GNAW 2023
The quality is poor but you’ll get the idea.
Arlo Parks
I’m convinced Arlo Parks doesn’t do bad music. I loved the performance, I loved the mix of indie pop and R&B heavily supported by the drums. I loved the energy.
Another band that deserved a much bigger stage!
Arlo Parks – ‘Hurt’ (Glastonbury 2022)
Mitski
Not much I can say here, sadly. We came late, were standing far from the stage, and had to leave early to catch the last train.
What I can say is I’ll stay for the full performance next time because, judging based on the three songs I heard.
Mitski – ‘Nobody’ (Live From Roadrunner in Boston)
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