What a weekend! The sun was shining, the sky was blue and the i-D stage at London’s Lovebox festival was popping off. Yep, we took over the mainstage last weekend, playing host to a selection of the world’s greatest. On Friday, after being sufficiently warmed up by local DJ Tiffany Calver, Slowthai took his clothes off again and demanded more mosh pits. Then it was on to Not Waving But Drowning charmer (and actual chef!) Loyle Carner, 2 Chainz in a bright yellow Slazenger poncho (because Wimbledon, duh), and J Hus, with his only festival date of the season. Lucky or what? Better still, he was joined by his mate Dave for their 2017 collab, Samantha.
I mean, that would’ve been quite enough, more than satisfactory really, but just you wait. We’re not ones to leave you feeling purely content, not when there’s the option to going above and beyond and welcome Solange and her dancers to our city and stage. Naturally, the i-D coverstar gave a visually stunning performance full of elegant routines and some of the deepest stage banter we’ve ever heard.
Saturday came and brought with it soaring temperatures — and, on our stage at least — New York R&B singer Amber Mark, Nigerian artist Adekunle Gold, sister act Vanjess, and David Rodigan and his Outlook Orchestra. All smashed it. Then it was the turn of bop star, skilled flautist and now actress, Lizzo with the kind of feel-good dance party people have come to expect from her sets. Along with her own bangers, the Detroit angel on earth serenaded us with an extract of TLC’s No Scrubs before having a lol at how Lovebox means pussy. Who knew!
The best boyband since One Direction, Brockhampton stormed the mainstage next, giant blue hand and all. The level of energy these guys possess is something else. Their set took the crowd on a journey from arm waving 90s ballad style to going so wild we feared their Korean fan club down the front (so their signs proclaimed) might get crushed. And there was more! Four Tet ruled, Giggs delivered and Chance The Rapper took the festival field to church with his backing choir. It really was something special. You should’ve been there.
Credits
All photography Sophie Jones