What would London’s Festival season be without Lovebox? Having called Victoria Park it’s home since 2005, this year the action will take place on the other side of town, with West London’s Gunnersbury Park playing host to Lovebox 2018 and with it, one of its biggest line-ups to date.
With Frank Ocean and Solange taking the headlines last year, for it’s sixteenth session, Lovebox has delivered a star-studded, genre-spanning line-up, with headline sets from Hip-Hop royalty Wu-Tang Clan and grime icon Skepta on the Friday, the Grammy-winning Childish Gambino on the Saturday, as well as appearances from N.E.R.D, SZA, Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals, Vince Staples, Mura Masa, The Internet and Kali Uchis, no less.
Saturday’s main stage headliner Childish Gambino – AKA Donald Glover – is the definition of multi-talented, juggling the roles of rapper, singer, songwriter, producer, actor, comedian and director with ease. His most recent album, the soul-tinged, funk-leaning Awaken, My Love! Saw Gambino secure a whopping five Grammy nominations, going on to win the award for Best Traditional R&B Performance for the unforgettable Redbone.
Making an exclusive UK appearance on Friday will be hip-hop legends Wu-Tang Clan, as they celebrate 25 years since the release of their seminal album ‘Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). They will also be joined by London’s finest Skepta – whose critically-acclaimed fourth album Konnichiwa won the 2016 Mercury Music prize – returns to headline the Lovebox Main Stage following an unforgettable performance in 2015.
The energy continues throughout the billing, with the Grammy-nominated SZA, who had an incredible 2017 following the TDE-signed singers debut album Ctrll, which went on to earn no less than four Grammy nominations, bringing the vibes as a special guest for her Lovebox debut.
One of our favourite artists in recent years, the extraordinarily talented rapper/singer-songwriter Anderson .Paak (alongside his equally gifted band The Free Nationals) will also bring their energetic and feelgood R&B flavors alongside Long Beach rapper Vince Staples – one of the most vital and recognizable voices in hip hop.
Elsewhere there’s DAVE – the UK MC whose assured confidence and lyrics that belie his 19 years, and bloggers turned producers Bicep, performing their acclaimed live show.
Looking across Saturday’s programme, the enigmatic, genre-hopping experimentalists N.E.R.D – AKA Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo and Shae Haley, will be co-headlining in the wake of their explosive comeback ‘No One Ever Really Dies’ - their first album since 2010. They will be joined by one-half of legendary Atlanta rap duo OutKast, with Big Boi bringing his unmistakable flows to the main stage.
Other noteworthy performances on Saturday’s schedule include NY rapper and Viceland presenter Action Bronson, who brings his infamously riotous live show back to Lovebox alongside The Internet, key figures in the neo-soul resurgence, as well as rising electronic star Mura Masa, who makes his Lovebox debut.
As is tradition, some of the biggest names in dance will also be at Lovebox, from celebrated producer Jon Hopkins (DJ) to the legendary Loco Dice via unconventional house hero Green Velvet. Lovebox favourite Jackmaster will be bringing Jackmaster & Numbers Present Mastermix to the Park, whilst Kerri Chandler & Jeremy Underground, will be combining their talents for an extra special B2B set: Underground Kaoz: Kerri Chandler & Jeremy Underground – definitely not one to be missed.
German house staple Motor City Drum Ensemble has had a massive few years thanks to his simultaneously retro and futuristic take on house, and shares a place on the line-up alongside Detroit legend Floorplan AKA Robert Hood. Dennis Sulta. Australian producer Mall Grab, Berlin-based newcomer Peggy Gou, Radio 1’s B.Traits, UK production duo CamelPhat and Warehouse Music’s Mella Dee are also confirmed, alongside Mike Skinner & Murkage Present Tonga and NTS staple Moxie, to name a few.
Lovebox Festival takes place on Friday 13th and Saturday 14th July 2018 at London’s Gunnersbury Park. Remaining tickets are available via the Lovebox website, here.
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