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If you aren’t excited about Lovebox, you’ve probably had a crucial bit of your brain removed. LCD Soundsystem are playing their first London show since their reunion, headlining alongside Major Lazer. Run The Jewels, Jungle, Stormzy and George Clinton are all down for live sets. Elrow are hosting a Brazilian carnival-themed party. Fabric are putting on their first ever festival stage. There’s even a roller disco. Still (somehow) not sold? Then here’s an exclusive look at the latest wave of DJs and live acts who’ll be turning Victoria Park into a massive party on July 15 and 16.
Joining Friday’s bill there’s a pair of great grime acts: scene stalwart Giggs and fast-rising producer Rude Kid. Refix master The Reflex brings his disco edits and reworks, Andrew Ashong brings the tempo down with his drifting, Dilla-inspired soul tracks, and shit gets weird when tripped out Peckham producer Darq E Freaker goes in hard. There’s also an appearance by envelope-pushing Dutch producer Tom Trago, whose slinky sets slide between straight-up house, disco, rave and techno. Kasra V joins the bill with his ’80s-tastic house workouts, and rising south Londoner Izzy Bizu adds some pop punch.
There are more great new names for Saturday too, with Bedford’s finest Lil Silva leading the charge with a huge discography that includes everything from rough-edged UK funky to soulful R&B. London sounds make a strong showing: genre-shuffling beatmaker Mo Kolours appears, as does Lewisham vocalist Jodie Abacus with a clutch of party-ready funk jams, and Four Tet-endorsed duo Icarus. All in all, we’d be inclined to get booking sharpish. If that brain of yours is in working order, this lovely lot are primed to blow it.