Thousands flock to Victoria Park for weekend music festival

Crowds descended on Victoria Park last weekend for All Points East’s third annual bank holiday festival, headlined by the likes of Jorja Smith, Jamie XX and Bombay Bicycle Club.

Hackney native Kojey Radical performed on Friday, just walking distance from where he grew up, while Islington-born Top Boy star and rapper Little Simz drew crowds to the west stage on Saturday evening.

Local resident Natasha McCabe, 24, said on Saturday: “Today was so good that we’ve bought tickets last minute to go back again tomorrow.

“Little Simz was one of the best acts I’ve ever seen in my life.”

The park also played host to a number of street food and merchandise stalls for festival-goers to peruse.

All Points East was founded in 2018. The festival was cancelled last year due to the pandemic, but thanks to the vaccine roll-out was able to resume this year. All visitors had to present a valid Covid passport upon entry.

A spokesperson for Tower Hamlets Council, which runs Victoria Park, said: “Events like All Points East make a vital financial contribution to the local area, including the upkeep and maintenance of our parks.

“Every effort is made to engage the local community in the success of large events like this and to minimise their impact. 

“This includes a ticket draw, regular communication, a residents’ hotline, limits on noise and the proactive management of crowds.

“In the Neighbourhood follows All Points East which is free to attend and features local artists, food, drink and family-friendly activities.”

In the Neighbourhood runs until 2 September. Find out what’s on at allpointseastfestival.com/nbhd