Lovebox are delighted to welcome London clubbing institution fabric to the Park this year. The legendary fabric is regularly named as the best nightclubs in the world, having welcome the likes of Ricardo Villalobos and Carl Craig during the seventeen years it’s occupied an old store space on Charterhouse Street, opposite Smithfield Meat Market.

We spoke to Oli of fabric for a little insight into how and why fabric are hitting a festival field for the first time.

Why does now feel like the right time to bring fabric to a festival?

For us, it’s not really so much about the timing – it’s about the partnership and us having found the right festival to work with. As an east London based venue ourselves we’ve long had an affinity with Lovebox and what it does, the music it hosts, but it’s the freedom to bring the ethos of what we do in the club to a big top tent that’s the most important thing for us. We’ve never been a business that simply puts our name to something for the sake of it. This is the first time we’ve ever taken fabric outside of our EC1 footprint and we do sincerely care about the music’s presentation and the environment and our customer’s comfort. The opportunity for us to install a bespoke sound and light system and have it run by our in house team was essentially the perfect situation for us.

 

What makes Lovebox a good fit for fabric?

For all of the above reasons and more to be honest. Lovebox have given us free range to represent fabric at the festival. We’re even looking at installing a wooden floor and full sound draping and we’ll be keeping the DJs on ground level so that we can replicate the sort of intimacy and experience that people have at the club.

 

What will be the challenges of bringing a club so renowned for its sound to a field?

Well, simply put we’ve had 16 years to learn and tweak the sound in each room at fabric. Our technical team are here, constantly testing new products and EQing the rooms for certain musical styles on the night so although the architecture of the space here hasn’t changed – that much – adapting the soundsystem to what’s happening in real time is a massive part of what they do. We’re partnering with Pioneer for the bespoke system for our tent and a massive point is that it’ll be immersive sound, with speakers set all around you. There’ll be challenges in the set up for sure, but the entire team is incredibly passionate about ensuring that this won’t just be another front blasting system blasting out into the open air. 

 

What can Lovebox-goers expect from the fabric stage?

We’ve split the lineup between the days of the festival to best represent our club’s programming. The Friday at Lovebox will represent FABRICLIVE and the Saturday will represent our Saturday night programming so the two lineups will be pretty different from each other. On Friday we’ll be hosting more bass heavy music with elements of drum & bass, grime, hip hop and garage and on the Saturday we’ll be exploring the realms of house and techno with our residents Craig Richards and Terry Francis alongside some extra special guests.

 

Visually, will the stage be reminiscent of the club or something completely different?

Our entire game plan is to bring a big slice of what fabric does week in week out to the festival, so yes, to put it bluntly we’re hoping it will be as reminiscent of the fabric experience as we can possibly make it. Wooden flooring, powerful sound, intensive light shows… the whole deal really.

When Diplo formed Major Lazer back in 2008, it started life as a conceptual electronic act fronted by a cartoon character – the aforementioned Major Lazer. The group’s larger-than-life tracks needed an equally towering 2D frontman, and after a chance meeting London-based artist Ferry Gouw was tasked with bringing the “Rasta Commando”, whose sole mission is peace, to life.

Ferry, who is currently serving as art director and co-creator of Major Lazer’s titular cartoon show on Adult Swim, has created extra special artwork to coincide with our 2016 launch and we quizzed him about what inspires him and how he came to work with Diplo and co…

What made you first get into illustration?
I never really got into it, to be honest. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t draw. I doodled a lot as a child, as a way to pass the time, as a hobby, then when I started reading comics, it was a way to re-create my favourite superheroes and scenes, etc.

Where did you study?
I studied art and design at Central St Martins, then I did my Masters in Filmmaking at Mike Leigh’s London Film School.

What inspires your work?
I guess a lot of the things I grew up with influenced my work, Marvel Comics, Japanese Manga, 80’s cartoons, etc. But I also look at contemporary art, print, film, just try to be engaged with whatever’s happening around me.

What other artists/illustrators do you admire?
I read a lot of comics, so mostly comic artists like Marcos Martin, Eduardo Risso, Paolo Rivera, classic guys like Jack Kirby, or Jim Lee. Weirder comic guys like Yuichi Yokoyama, and the weirdest ones I’d found recently: Leon and Stefan Sadler. I also love Wilfred Limonious and Philip Guston. Tonnes of people.

How did you start working with Diplo and Major Lazer?
Totally by chance. I bumped into them when I was picking my friend up for lunch, I got introduced as an illustrator. They were looking for someone to draw the whole project, I read the outline of the project and realised it was describing my whole childhood: Jamaican Rasta Commando fighting the zombie wars of 1984, a laser gun for an arm, etc. I submitted 3 drawings and the whole thing clicked into place. The character design, the logo, the colours haven’t changed since then.

What was involved in the process of making the character of Major Lazer? Did you work to a strict brief or did it come naturally?
The guys wrote a brief outline of the world: Rasta Commando with a laser gun for an arm, he lost his arm in the zombie war of 1984. Now he’s a vampire-fighting renegade, he runs the baddest dancehall club, and he rides a flying hoverboard. Then I had to come up with what I think this character looks like n what kind of world he inhabits, but the whole thing kinda made itself. I kinda knew from the start who he was, how he would turn out.

What would be your dream project to work on?
Star Wars.

Can you tell us a little more about the artwork you created for Lovebox?
The new Major Lazer album, Peace Is The Mission, has a unifying positive theme. We aspire for the music to be the force that bring the world together. So the Lovebox artwork borrowed from this theme, unity through dance and music. People of all race, gender, and orientation partying together as one.

Check out more of Ferry’s work here.

22tracks is the one of the most unique ways to discover new music. The online jukebox, which features playlists curated by Amsterdam, London, Paris and Brussels’ best DJs, describes itself as “the perfect guide in a crowded musical landscape”. Ahead of them hosting Friday VIP at #Lovebox15, we spoke to co-founder Vincent and Somethinksounds’ Kazim – who curates London’s playlists – about the brand and what to expect when they host VIP. Check out their special Lovebox VIP playlist at the end of the interview.

How would you describe 22tracks in one sentence?

KAZIM: The coolest place to discover new music in the world, from all over the world.

How did the idea for 22tracks come about?

VINCENT: Working at the Dutch equivalent of BBC 1xtra I worked with amazing niche DJs who struggled to find a bigger audience and myself struggling to keep up with their radio shows (duration: two hours per show). I proposed to join forces with much more genres on one platform on a much more easy to consume way: highlight their 22 latest top picks, in 22 genres. I built the first version myself.

What was 22tracks’ first breakthrough moment?

VINCENT: The Dutch breakthrough moment was when 3voor12, the country’s biggest music blog, properly introduced 22tracks to their audience and the Dutch music industry. Around a year later Pitchfork linked us for people to stream a brand new LCD Soundsystem tune and our stats went through the roof. I started receiving tons of emails from the US that night, all very much loving the concept.

What has been your biggest moment as a company?

VINCENT: Hmm. Launching in Brussels, London and Paris. Our recent SXSW Awards nomination, Wired Top European startup nomination and our branded content deals with Microsoft, Grolsch and Sonos.

What favourite DJ of yours would you like to curate a guest playlist?

KAZIM: Well, for me personally it’s not just about DJs. I love to find out what my favourite people from all creatives spaces are getting down to. I’d love to hear what Prince or Andre 3000 would select for their current 22 fave tracks. Easy.

Amsterdam, Brussels, London, Paris – why are these cities such important musical hubs?

KAZIM: It’s totally subjective, and more importantly the list isn’t complete. We want to open offices and curate music in Loads of cities, and the next few years we’re planning major growth in places such as NY, LA, Joburg, Berlin, Moscow and Sau Paulo. What makes all of these cities exciting for us underground street culture and how that manifests in each city. We find the underground music scenes is what brings all of the street/culture kids together in cities, so it’s fascinating to hear whats hot in each cities, curated by the kids pushing the cities forward.

Where do you want 22tracks to be in 5 years?

VINCENT: To become the global leading music discovery platform. Running a succesful streaming service, online magazine, events and festivals and a record label.

KAZIM: I want it to be the first thing every kid on the street does in the morning before he or she even gets out of bed, put on their favourite playlist and it be the soundtrack to their day. In ever city in the world!

What can Lovebox-VIPers expect from 22tracks on the Friday?

KAZIM: VIBE. VIBES. VIBES. We’ve got some firm London 22 family together plus some special guests. Expect the best music on the street from the best cities in the world.

The colourful #Lovebox15 announcement video wouldn’t have been possible without the work of three very talented creatives. Illustrator Hattie Stewart, animator Andy Baker and producer Kiwi combined their talents to create the most mischievous, eye-catching Lovebox announcement video yet. Get to know Hattie, Andy and Kiwi below….

Hattie Stewart is an illustrator and self proclaimed “doodle bomber” who garnered fame for her drawings on the front of influential magazines such as Vogue and i-D. She has also worked with Azealia Banks on a series of portraits and designers such as House of Holland and Adidas.

What made you want to become an illustrator? Was there a particular drawing/piece you saw that first got you interested?
I just always loved to draw. I would always draw my own toys as a young girl and realise now I took more pleasure in creating the characters and imaginary worlds then I did actually playing with them – my playtime was in the creation. I’ve tried many different things but ultimately I always end up with a pen in hand, whether I’d intended too or not.

Sum up your work in three words:
Tongue-in-cheek.

What do you draw inspiration from?
There is no one specific place it can come from anywhere and anytime from documentaries to inspirational talks with friends to inspirational talks by passionate visionaries. That one thing that can ignite that desire to create is almost impossible to find deliberately so I leave myself open to all things – you never know when or where inspiration will come but when it does, I run with it.

Do you have a process/routine whilst you’re working?
Not particularly although when I am working on personal work I do prefer solitary. I over think things quite a lot so require that time without distraction to essentially discuss with myself what I intend to create or want to do – for me having time to think without distraction is one of the most precious and rare things in regards to what I do. Generally though my process and routine tends to bend itself depending on what the project is in hand.

What’s your favourite piece of art?
‘My Colouring Book’ By Pauline Boty.

Who are your favourite artists?
Pauline Boty, Kate Moross, Artemsia Gentileschi, Quentin Jones, Ruebens.

What’s been the most important moment of your career so far?
There have been many but for me the most important moment was when i realised I could work solely as a freelance illustrator/artist and create the work I wanted to create.

Which famous figure, living or dead, would you most like to draw?
Artemsia Gentileschi.

You’ve worked with a number of fashion brands already, is there anyone else you’d be keen to work with?
Louis Vuitton, and I always love collaborating with independent designers – I recently did 2 pieces with the amazing Poppy Lissiman which was a dream.

Why is London such an brilliant creative hub?
I think most cities bring together like minds and London has always had a buzz of great creative energy – it draws you in.

What projects have you got coming up?
A few – I’m working on a book at the moment and a couple of other fun things but mostly I’m trying to take a little bit of time to myself to re-charge as it has been a crazy couple of years.

Andy Baker is an animator who often collaborates with Hattie and has also worked with fashion brands such as Old Navy, Adidas, and Markus Lupfer. 

Where did you study?
Kingston University – animation and illustration course

What made you want to become an animator?
Watching too many cartoons as a kid.

Where do you draw inspiration from?
Films, art, music, friends. anything really.

Who are your favourite illustrators?
There are so many it feels bad choosing any as my favourite, but I would say Daniel Clowes, Charles Burns and Maurice Noble would be up there. I think Margaret Kilgallen would probably be the one who influences and inspires me the most.

What makes London such a special cultural hub?
The great mix of cultures and people making so many inspiring things in a fairly small space.

Can you talk us through the process you went through animating the Lovebox artwork?
Just watching some great films for reference and then getting the idea down and animating.

What’s your favourite piece of work you’ve animated?
Maybe the animation I did for the Wu-Tang show last year. but I enjoy nearly every job I do so, all of it!

Kiwi is a London-based producer who combines a multitude of influences to create a sound like no other. He regularly tours around the world as well as being resident at The Nest and XOYO. He will be playing at the Corona stage at Lovebox.

When did you first start making music?
I think about 4 years ago now. Doesn’t feel like I have been doing it that long. I seem to have made an awful lot in that time though.

What does your ‘in the studio’ process involve?
I work with an engineer, Joe. He’s great and I kind of bounce ideas off him and We just roll with it. I think it’s really important for me to have someone in the studio with me. Otherwise I get lost focusing on things that don’t matter and lose my creative flow. My attention span is very short you see.

How would you describe your music in three words?
Eclectic, Spontaneous, Hopeful.

What’s your favourite show you’ve ever played?
I’m not sure I can pick one, there’s been too many greats. 5 hour set at Barberella’s Croatia ending in sunrise is definitely the one that’s coming to mind right now.

Favourite club to play in London?
XOYO, it’s just got everything, it’s like home to me. I feel like I can read the crowd well in there.

What makes London crowds the best? 
I think a better way to answer the question would be to explain why I call London home. London is a melting pot of culture, attitude, style, and opinions. When these things come together in harmony, it creates a unique atmosphere. Over the past 10 years London clubland has been under constant attack from the authorities. Yet the demand for fresh parties/clubs and forward thinking ideas has led to an ever-expanding underground scene, which is testimony to London clubbers resolve. For me the scene has never been stronger.

http://hattiestewart.com/
http://cargocollective.com/andybaker
https://soundcloud.com/kiwidj

Thanks to a steady slew of blog-approved singles, remixes and collaborations with the likes of Vic Mensa and The Internet, the buzz surrounding Montreal-based beatmaker Kaytranada is at an all-time high.

This was evident at his packed Brixton Academy show on Friday night. With the responsive crowd already buoyed up by opening sets from Fwdslxsh, Sango, Benji B and Vic Mensa, Kaytranada took full advantage of the energy that filled the room from the moment he took to the stage.

Mixing his signature, smooth marriage of soul, hip hop and electronica with reworks (Missy Elliott’s ‘I’m Really Hot’ and Chet Faker’s ‘Talk Is Cheap’ were particular highlights), the XL Recordings producer more than provided a thrillingly climatic end to an evening that belonged, unmistakably, to him.

If you missed out, don’t worry…Kaytranada is going to sound just as good (if not better) in the sunshine at Lovebox.

And they said it would rain.

We enjoyed another day of blazing hot sunshine yesterday, as the thunderstorms and torrential rain forecasted failed to materialise. It could have been luck…or maybe there’s something special about Lovebox.

We spotted countless weird and wonderful acts wandering through the site as soon as we arrived, including a troupe of dancing mechanics. Meanwhile, Perhaps Contraction and Roundhouse Brass Ensemble’s had heads turning with their spectacularly macabre afternoon parade. The bevy of colourful, at times creepy, circus performers was truly something to behold.

Meanwhile, there were some serious summer vibes happening at the Red Bull Music Academy, where Soul Clap brought the party with a delectable cocktail of disco, funk and techno. A short hop away at the Big Top saw rising electronic duo Bondax inspire mass singalongs to their summery, signature tracks ‘Gold’ and ‘Baby I Got That’ in the packed-out tent.

All this dancing had made us rather hungry, so we made our way to Popdogs’ stand, where we enjoyed one of the best hot dogs we’ve ever had. It was so good that we had two in a row (we’re not proud).

As the sun began to set on Lovebox-goers, crowds gathered at the Main Stage in anticipation of the legendary Nas, who took to the stage to perform his seminal debut Illmatic in full. The crowd roared along in earnest as the rapper aired classics such as ‘It Ain’t Hard to Tell’ and ‘The World Is Yours’, leading him to declare “I can feel the love here”. It may sound cheesy, but you could.

It was up to one of London’s most multitalented and exciting exports, MIA, to wrap up Lovebox – and the rapper did an excellent job of it with a high-energy, career-spanning set that never let up. With the first few rows of the crowd having been given neon glowsticks to wave around as the sky darkened and the last two hours of Lovebox drew to a close, it was a fittingly colourful, euphoric end to two of the most feel-good and fun days we’ve had in a long time. ‘Til next year, Lovebox.

Thursday night’s earth-shaking lightning storms made way for 32 degree sunshine for the first day of Lovebox – and what a day it was.

As crowds streamed into London’s Victoria Park, each corner of the site – from the industrial setting of Distrikt, to the shady reaches of the pom pom-bedecked trees – was soon filled with Lovebox-goers.

Thanks to the sunshine (hottest day of the year so far, folks) there was an undeniably special atmosphere. Wherever you walked, you’d soon come across something that would demand your attention for the next few minutes; whether it was an impromptu dance recital, a hula hoop class set to Christina Aguilera’s ‘Dirrty’ or one of the many performers wondering around the site.

There was also, of course, the music. Some of the highlights included an appearance from New York rapper Joey Bada$$, who cooled down the crowds with blissed-out cuts, and a typically epic set from the incomparable David Rodigan.

A slew of the world’s hottest DJs, including Cyril Hahn, Duke Dumont  and Annie Mac ensured the West Stage was pretty much the best all-day party that ever was. Scenes at Bearded Kitten Manor were also something to behold, with the sun-drenched masses stretching back as far as the eye could see to catch the likes of Shy FX and DJ EZ.

Meanwhile, we also sampled a delicious pulled pork brioche bun from the very multitalented Seth Troxler’s BBQ haven Smokey Tails, and had our bottoms read by the lovely Asstrology girls. Seriously. According to my glutes, I’m passionate, good at giving advice and should go travelling in Thailand soon.

As the sun went down – and what a spectacular sunset it was – Harlem MC ASAP Rocky took to the main stage to air cuts from his debut Long.Live.A$AP, praising the crowd for matching his energy.

Finally, as some not entirely unwelcome drops of rain began to fell on the Lovebox crowd, Chase and Status wrapped up what had been a very special day with a similarly electrifying set. Joined by guests including Kano, Moko and Louis M^ttrs, the London duo delivered one of the best festival appearances we’ve ever seen.

That was day one. If day two is going to be anywhere remotely as good, we’re in for a treat. Ready for round two, people?

Back in 2002, Groove Armada and our own Jools were sitting in a pub, lamenting the London parties scene. They were playing gigs and clubs everywhere, but thought there might be a way to put on a different kind of show in London, with more exciting line-ups.

It started with a box of records and a pack of Post-its – heart-shaped ones were the only type to hand. The record box became the ‘Lovebox’, which became an album, and then the first party was thrown in an old strip club off Tottenham Court Road. Then followed a residency at 93 Feet East, succeeded by a stint in Ladbroke Grove, and Lovebox was selling out two weeks in advance with hundreds turning up at the door.

A year later, this success led to a one day special on Clapham Common for 10,000 people. The year after was 20,000. A combination of solid musical reputation and a complete lack of inner London park festivals proved a potent recipe. Then in 2005, Lovebox moved to Victoria Park, spread itself over two days and the festival you know was born.

It’s no longer a Groove Armada affair but the Lovebox team still invite you to bring the love every year.