Returning Home: A Sunlit Field Day
Image: Angelica Colucci
Field Day 2023 was a sold-out success. Against the backdrop of a sunlit Victoria Park, London, this year’s festival welcomed 50,000 guests to an audio visual celebration of some of the electronic music scene’s most visionary artists. Bold acts took over the Main Stage, headlined by the mysterious Aphex Twin and an enthralling performance accompanied by Weirdcore visuals.
Dazzling was hypnotic LSDXOXO B2B Juliana Huxtable. Her kaleidoscopic visuals were transporting, giving futuristic energy, chaotic yet powerfully attractive and grounding. Huxtable’s blue cat-winged eyes were unapologetically gravitating, with a thrumming set of drum and bass and nostalgic frequencies that kept taking the crowd higher.
Image: Angelica Colucci
Rising us above the underworld, Jayda G graced the stage in a glistening Halpern sequined number. Against the backdrop of expansive nature, Jayda echoed the qualities of mountains, seas and skies with a full bodied performance, energising crowds in awe of her infectious dance set.
Image: Eric Aydin Barberini
The festival’s 16th edition brought the underground club scene to the daytime open fields. Crowds could let loose in a free-thinking and feeling community, immersing themselves in great music and moreish food. As an event that champions emerging artists and musical innovators, simmering the New Sounds stage was Gazzi, an artist who describes his sound as ‘emotional turmoil’; his sunshine set uplifted crowds to elevated electronic frequencies.
Image: Angelica Colucci
Artist TSHA delivered a confident set, charming an audience with a chilled live band infused with eastern influences and pink confetti strings. Her lockdown number ‘Sister’ played against a pop-art animation, as TSHA explored her newfound connection with her half sister: ‘I was always waiting for us/ Feels like I’ve just woken up.’ Her set sparked a sense of longing and connection, feelings the crowds clearly craved post-pandemic.
Image: Joshua Atkins
At the heart of Field Day, CUPRA North Arena hosted a roster of alternative artists breaking boundaries. Actress LIVE showcased a powerful live experience. Experimental strobe lighting lit up the visuals - from microscopic depictions of biology, to images of space, crowds were immersed in a heightened awareness of a shape shifting world. The tranced rhythms and psychedelic visuals made us feel incubated in a rapidly changing, other-worldly dimension.
Image: Angelica Colucci
Ethereal queen Kelala was an R&B tempress, slowing things down and captivating us with her transcendental vocals. Kelala was soulfully sensual and admired by dedicated fans. Sitting at the heart of East London’s thriving creative community, Field Day has become a hub for experimental music. We can’t wait to return home next summer.
