day two overview

So great is Sunday’s hangover and the foreboding nature of another hour and a half train journey across London, we only reach the Lovebox festival site around 3pm, just in time for a sun-kissed performance from Hot Chip. Except, hold on, aren’t Hot Chip normally a five piece? How come there are only three of them on stage. Hmm, despite leading light Alexis joking that the band has lost a few members, what’s more likely is they too are suffering the effects of a hangover, after having played a huge show at Somerset House the night before and then having their own equally massive after party.

Oh well, it doesn’t stop them from being brilliant, ‘And I Was A Boy From School’ and ‘Over And Over’ doing exactly what they’re supposed to do in setting the festival alight with dancing and joy. They also play that new song that Kylie rejected, it’s pretty sweet.

Around this time we go wondering the festival site. Despite its central London location always overshadowing, Lovebox does a damn good job of feeling like it’s a fairy enclave out in the wilderness, where dreams come true and beer costs £3.50 a pint. There is a giant fairground that’s awash with punters as the sun goes down, and carnivalesque attractions like street performers and the festival staple of people in fancy dress. There’s a couple of guys in their 60s dressed as Elvis and seem to be having a whale of a time.

Back in time for New York’s finest punk funk fiends, The Rapture play a tight hour of dance-heavy delights. They’re one of the best party bands on the planet and don’t they know it. They may be tired as hell from touring (they’ve just come over on a ferry from Dublin), but they still give it their all. With the sun shining, everyone’s happy.

Things go Latin as we venture off to the El Barrio stage to catch some of Buraka Som Sistema, the Portuguese breakbeat outfit. Sadly, due to passport issues they’ve left members at home, and only manage a DJ set. It’s still fun.

They’re followed, however, by the now notorious Brazilian three-piece and CSS’ favourite new act, Bonde De Role. A whole load of shit has been hurled at these filthy, brain-free baile funkers because admittedly there’s so little to them – but at a carnival festival like this who needs real substance when the vibe is so good? ‘Solta O Frango’ is their best tune, but the rest of the set is peppered with the usually cheesy samples (The Darkness, AC/DC), so there’s plenty for the drunk dancer to latch onto.

Back over to the mainstage, it’s hard to remember Groove Armada’s closing set, such is the high alcohol content in most people’s bloodstream. However, it’s safe to say they round things off with a celebratory cheer, and stamp success over the closing moments of the festival. It may have rained a little but it’s by far the best thing London’s got, putting other inner-city festivals to shame. Nice one Lovebox, roll on next year.

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