The Verse’s Will Craigie previews Afropunk Fest at Printworks London on 22nd-23rd July 2017.
Now this really is something. Afropunk Fest – a global festival which takes place in cities as diverse as Paris, Johannesburg, and Brooklyn – will be returning to London on the 22nd and 23rd July 2017 at the brilliant new venue Printworks. The festival, which began as an outlet for black artists on the American punk scene (previously dominated by white musicians) in 2005, has greatly expanded to represent many different genres, pulling the biggest and best artists in the industry. It celebrates a culture that is not given its fair due in music, and is guaranteed to be two days filled with beautiful soul.
This years line-up boasts artists such as The Internet (it seems criminal for so many talented people to be in one group), the innovative Danny Brown, Corinne Bailey Rae (no artist except Stevie Wonder can create an aesthetic feeling of summer like she can), “wonky funk” extraordinaire and London’s own Nao, grime legend JME, Thundercat (the thought of hearing the bass of Them Changes makes July seem too far away), Lianne La Havas, old-skool pioneer in the British soul scene Jazzie B, Willow Smith and many other brilliant artists.
There will also be a Bites And Beats food festival, containing delicacies from over 25 countries, a Spinthrift market, and creative activities such as painting, with the works of many visual artists being displayed across both days. Bring on July!
Featured photo courtesy of BIGBOX.LDN
