FOUNDED by DJs Groove Armada in 2002 as a resident club night at 93 Feet East, Lovebox was created to provide a different kind of London show, with more exciting line ups. A year later, the event was moved outside to celebrate its one year anniversary and since then Lovebox has year-on-year increased its capacity, increased its lure with a goldplated lineup and sold out in record times. With past performances from the likes of Frank Ocean, Jamiroquai, Florence and the Machine, Duran Duran, Snoop Dogg, Blondie, Grace Jones, Lana Del Ray, Chase & Status and Childish Gambino, Lovebox has boasted an incredible presence in the UK festival ladder.
Although initially starting out as a predominantly dance festival, Lovebox has since expanded to include a wide array of genres and performances and in turn, attracted a wide array of guests, both young and old. The welcoming atmosphere, accompanied by the incredible line up each year, and the creatively driven stage design, make Lovebox a hotspot for those after the festival experience without the hassle of camping. Being based in central London, yet still encompassing much of the vibe of countryside-based festivals like Glastonbury, has established Lovebox as a multi-dimensional festival, with the added bonus of ticket options for either Friday or Saturday or both!
Lovebox 2018, Skepta
Lovebox 2018, Kali Uchis
Taking place this weekend, Lovebox 2019 is gearing up for one of their biggest line-up lists they’ve ever had. Chance the Rapper, Solange, Giggs, J.Hus, 2 Chainz, Cypress Hill, Four Tet, Brockhampton, Loyle Carner, Lizzo, Annie Mac and many, many more will play across the two days in one of the 10 stages/tents. Personal favourites of mine, Solange and Loyle Carner, will treat us to their recently released albums, When I Get Home and Not Waving, But Drowning respectively. Both are famously poetic with important messages weaved throughout their songs. Both performances are expected to mirror this and with a weather forecast of sunny skies for the whole weekend, we can only imagine what magical staging they have in store for us.
This year, Lovebox features two UK festival exclusives – J Hus and Cypress Hill. J Hus, the British grime MC, exploded on the scene in 2015, with a sound that mixed rap, reggae, and the new wave of electronic Afro-beat. Since then, J Hus has inked a deal with Epic Records in the US and Black Butter records in the UK. And in May 2017, Hus released his debut LP, Common Sense, which was awarded a Mercury Prize nomination that same year.
The iconic rap group Cypress Hill will play on the Friday of Lovebox – their only UK festival of the year – with a performance of their album Black Sunday in its entirety. Released in the summer of 1993, the album instantly became a hit, entering the album charts at number one and spawning the crossover hit “Insane in the Brain”. Both J Hus and Cypress Hill make for a unique listening at Lovebox, one which will most likely spur your friends into a fit of frantic jealousy.
Friday headliner, Solange
Saturday headliner, Chance the Rapper
For those of you who prefer the electronic side of music, Four Tet, Annie Mac, Kaytranada, Patrick Topping, Ross from Friends are among the top DJs performing across the weekend. If last year’s Bicep light show and sound system is anything to go by, then this year will provide you with eye-dazzling visuals and ear-dazzling sounds to match.
Tickets are still available, so if a sun-filled and fun-filled weekend of live music, with UK exclusives thrown in for good measure, is something you’d be interested in then visit here.
Lovebox 2018, Bicep
Giggs, Saturday headliner
by Lily Rimmer
12th-13th July, Lovebox 2019
Location: Gunnersbury Park, London W3 8LQ
Friday Day Ticket: £62.50 + Booking Fee
Saturday Day Ticket: £75 + Booking Fee
Weekend Ticket: £120 + Booking Fee
VIP Ticket: £175
For more information on where you can buy tickets please visit here.
The nearest tube stations are Acton Town (District & Piccadilly Lines / 10 mins walk)Â and Ealing Broadway (Central & District Lines / 25 mins walk). From there it is a 10-minute walk to the main park entrance.