Mitski’s smouldering, country-inflected songs stole the show as the first weekend of All Points East drew to a close.
Arriving in east London for her first ever festival headlining set, the beloved singer-songwriter delivered the goods. In front of adoring fans, the US artist provided a stirring 24-song set that charted the entirety of her celebrated decade-plus career.
This was a show loaded with lashings of gorgeous pedal steel, accordion and organ, adding warmth and colour to Mitski’s highly moving, sophisticated compositions. There was variety of tempo as well as mood too.
The solemn majesty of ‘I Don’t Like My Mind’ rubbed shoulders with the percussive shuffle of ‘Happy’, while the gentle strum of ‘The Frost’ was the counterpoint to the atmospheric thrum of ‘I Bet on Losing Dogs’ – the latter of which found Mitski crawling around the stage floor imitating our four-legged friends.
In fact, Mitski’s stagecraft frequently incorporated mime and theatrics (going “into character”, as she put it), making for a bewitching sight as well as a sonorous listen.
The romantic lament of ‘My Love Is All Mine’ was a mid-set highlight, ‘I’m Your Man’ was a stately treat, and the fiddle-driven, upbeat skip of ‘I Don’t Smoke’ proved entirely irresistible. In keeping with the overarching tenor of the performance, ‘Love Me More’ was given a country makeover.
Telling the crowd that she’ll miss them, the star re-emerged for a rapturously received two-song encore. ‘Nobody’ basked in its quasi-disco climax, which led to Mitski to perform the splits, before a closing ‘Washing Machine Heart’ capped off a perfect evening.
What had unfolded across 90 minutes was a compelling case for Mitski’s set that soared into the stratosphere.
TikTok’s power to exhume, revive and propel an artist’s career is perhaps no better evidence than in the fortunes of American indie pop group TV Girl. In 2022, the social media platform latched on to the outfit’s charismatic, quirky and slightly left-of-centre material.
Witty onstage repartee was part and parcel of an entertaining romp through a four album catalogue stacked with infectious, offbeat melodies. Tunes such as ‘Blue Hair’, ‘Not Allowed’ and ‘Cigarettes Out the Window’ garnered loud exclamations from those familiar by way of social media, but this set proved they are more than any viral moment(s).
By the time ‘Lover’s Rock’ rounded things out, the band had landed a series of knockout musical punches. This was proof, if it were needed, that forgotten gems need not be forgotten forever; especially in our social media age. TV Girl are deserving of their second coming and All Points East were vindicated in giving them second-to-top billing.
The smoky, soulful sounds of Arlo Parks were something to behold. Playing the Cupra North Stage, the Londoner showed how extensive touring has sharpened her live show into extremely affecting and powerful.
Parks’ poetic lyrics and her brilliant live band were a perfect concoction for the confines of a festival tent. A souped-up, rocked-up ‘Hurt’ hit hard, while ‘Too Good’ was a tantalising dollop of fresh, funky goodness. Introducing breakthrough single ‘Black Dog’ as one of the “most important songs” she’s written, Parks “sent” the song out to the All Points East crowd. All in all, this Parks delivered an absorbing, transportive, and utterly immersive show.
The feverish reception that greeted the arrival of Beabadoobee was testament to her rising status. It won’t be long before this highly talented young artist is topping festival bills. Fresh from the number one placing of the Filipino-born London artist’s third studio album This is How Tomorrow Moves, there was an onstage confidence that emanated from the singer and washed over the crowd. Her versatile group stormed through the winding melodic passages of her alt-rock catalogue.
Her number one album’s lead single ‘Take a Bite’ was a hook-laden triumph, but the highlights were numerous in a set that felt like a timely victory lap following her present chart success. ‘There’s so many of you. I just released an album. I found out two days ago that it got to number one, thanks for helping out,’’ she said.
Beabadoobee’s stirring guitar anthems oozed nostalgic charm. ‘10:36’ induced a mass singalong. The songwriter explained that ‘Ever Seen’ was written for her boyfriend, and played a beautiful rendition of the song.The nostalgic, 00s infused guitar pop anthems resonated.
Ethel Cain presented her gothic soaked guitar songs to a huge, enthusiastic crowd that lapped up every note on the East Stage. Tracks from her hit 2022 debut album Preacher’s Daughter went down a treat: ‘Thoroughfare’ found Cain perched at the front of the stage blowing into a harmonica while her band cooked to a crushing crescendo. ‘’It’s been a long time since we played in one of London’s beautiful parks,’’ she remarked affectionately. Fans were left hoping that her return won’t be too far away.
The sumptuous, moody rumble of ‘Gibson Girl’ was an atmospheric delight, so too her beguiling cover of ‘Bette Davis Eyes’. ‘American Teenager’ wrapped up a killer set of dynamic, enthralling, spine-tingling drama.
Meanwhile, over at the CUPRA North Arena, Suki Waterhouse brought the house down with a packed set including ‘To Love,’ ‘Moves,’ and ‘Blackout Drunk’. Her magical show at All Points East followed an appearance at Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour the night before. Waterhouse also treated her All Points East audience to a special surprise, performing the Oasis classic ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger.’ After the massive singalong in Victoria Park, she subtly expressed her delight for her UK fans, saying: “I played that one at Coachella and let me tell you, it didn’t hit the same.”
Lucius took to the East Stage and entertained the crowd with their charming, reverb heavy, 60s indebted indie pop. At one point, Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig sat on the lip of the stage and serenaded the crowd to the strains of ‘Two of Us on the Run’. Throughout, tight harmonies were the order of the day while the band drew from their most recent album Second Nature. There was also time for the live debut of upcoming single ‘Old Tape’: a song featuring The War on Drugs that signposts what we can expect from their next album.
Accompanied by a string quartet on the East Stage, TikTok sensation Strawberry Guy sat at his piano and let his minor-key, emotional songs work their magic. Visibly moved by the sight of the huge festival crowd who had gathered at the East Stage in the afternoon stage, he remarked: ‘’Wow, this a lot of people. I think this is the biggest show I’ve played”.
Thirty minutes of tender, evocative ballads later and it was clear why the crowd was so substantial. ‘’I never thought that playing tunes in my bedroom would lead me to stages like this,’’ he said before closing with a one-two of ‘Birch Tree’ and the viral hit ‘Mrs Magic’.
Good Neighbours brought their arena-sized choruses to a heaving tent over on the CUPRA North Arena. The early afternoon set time couldn’t dampen enthusiasm for their ambitious, panoramic tunes. Encouragingly, a cluster of tracks sat comfortably alongside their ubiquitous 2024 hit ‘Home’: further, they sounded its equal. ‘’We thought nobody would be here, so this is mental,’’ gushed frontman Oli Fox.
The sweet bossa nova, waltz and soft jazz lilt of Liana Flores ushered serenity as she opened proceedings on the West Stage. The artist was playing her first ever festival show, and the crowd had turned out early and in great numbers. ‘’“Hello all points east… wow. Thank you for getting here early and catching my set…This is my first festival show and I’m so excited. Thank you for coming.”
Additional highlights from APE Day Three included Men I Trust, Wasia Project, Infinity Song, and many more.
Next Friday sees the All Points East return of LCD Soundsystem supported by a stellar line-up including Pixies, The Kills, Jockstrap, Floating Points, and more. The rest of the headliners include APE presents Field Day (Saturday 24 August) and The Postal Service / Death Cab For Cutie (Sunday 25 August). In The Neighbourhood returns for free activities from Monday 19 August to Thursday 22 August. Tickets below.
Photo credit: Bethan Millerco
