Don't go back to Dalston, don't go up the junction, Johnny Borrell once said. But maybe you should Thursday and Friday April 16th - 17th, as the area's first substantial music festival gets underway.
Land of Kings (making Kingsland Road sound glamorous since 2009) will cater for the now fully installed musos of the manor, who are frankly spoilt with a whole array of trendier than thou bars and clubs that have been busy opening up next to the Turkish and African businesses more traditionally associated with the area. From the well-established Arcola and Vortex, to newcomers like Visions Video and Cafe Oto and the slightly ominous looking Dreams on the high street, will all be hosting events along the drag.
The evenings proceedings will come in the form of acts including Tayo, Joe Ransom, New Young Pony Club DJs, An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump, Allez-Allez, Rory Phillips and Idjut Boys (full line-up here) with afro, disco, gypsy punk, electro, jazz and techno all promised. There will also be theatre from Punchdrunk off-shoot Gideon Reeling in a Victorian hall. Keeping it local, the majority of the line-up live or work in the hood: 'poundshop popstar' Sportsday Megaphone will perform their latest production, as will Oxfam Dalston blogger Todd Hart. And if you get the munchies between venues, many of Dalston's fine eateries will give you 15% off at the flash of your wristband.
Early bird tickets are on sale now at the discounted price of £15 for the both days online or in person at Cafe Moto and the Vortex. Otherwise it's £12 a day / £20 the whole thing on the door.
Further details are on the Land of Kings website: landofkings.co.uk and Facebook group
Best of all though we've got a pair of tickets to give away absolutely free. Just leave your details below and we'll be in touch next week if you're a winner:
By Sarah Phillips
