• Lovebox returns for 2012

  • London’s Lovebox festival has moved to June for 2012 but the three day event promises the same mix of dubstep, hip-hop, drum & bass, house, techno and indie over three days in Victoria Park. The Hackney green space will play host to the 10th anniversary of Lovebox running from Friday, June 15th to Sunday, June 17th.

    Friday is dance day as Bang the Box returns to Lovebox headlined by quirky electro-pop hipsters Hot Chip, dubstep supergroup Magnetic Man and live drum and bass from Sub Focus. The 8-bit noise of Crystal Castles will ensure some main stage mosh pits while those looking for action away from the main stage will find arenas hosted by Rinse 106.8FM¸ 2 Bears, Digital Soundboy and Hessle Audio. Among the big names on Friday are Rusko, Pearson Sound, Shy FX, Zinc, Boy Better Know and Toddoa T.

    On Saturday there will be a mash up of legendary faces, big name bands and party DJs. The Mercury Music Prize nominated Friendly Fires will play a London festival exclusive and Brit Awards Critic’s Choice Winner Emeli Sandé will support. Kelis is back by popular demand and Swedish act Little Dragon will also be on the main stage. On the second stage BBC Sound Poll nominee Azealia Banks and Crazy P have been announced along with arena hosts Hospitality, Crosstown Rebels, Warm and Electric Minds.

    Hospitality will welcome Netsky, High Contrast, David Rodigan MBE and London Elektrcity. The Crosstown Rebels Rebel Rave is set to feature label boss Damian Lazarus, Maceo Plex and Art Department while the Warm & Electric Minds arena will see house and techno from Dixon, Prosumer and Move D.

    Sunday is polysexual day at Lovebox for Out & Out Fierce’s hi-energy disco and electro. Holly Johnson takes to the main stage to deliver a “greatest hits” set spanning his days with Frankie Goes to Hollywood through to his solo career. NME’s “most influential dance act in the world right now” Azari & iii return to the festival after their performance last year and there will be a debut performance from BBC Sound of 2012 nominee’s Niki & The Dove. The Dalston Superstore will host an arena with guests The Rapture and Patrick Wolf while Gutterslut & Trailer Trash have a headline performance of German techno from Helmut Joseph Geier aka DJ Hell lined up to cap off their arena following sets from Ivan Smagghe, Hannah Holland and Mikki Most. Horsemeat Disco have Andrew Weatherall and Optimo among their ranks for the day.

    There are more acts to be announced for Lovebox 2012, tickets are priced from £29 per day. For information and to book your ticket go to www.lovebox.net.

by Mike Barnard

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