Following November’s announcement that Stormzy would be launching this year’s Luno Presents All Points East (APE) festival at Victoria Park, we finally get a feeling for the direction his very own curated This Is What We Mean Day is moving in with the unveiling of just some of the acts taking part.

Speaking on his Insta account, Stormzy said: “I was thinking, 'what’s next?' Cos we’ve done three O2s. Shut that down.

"I said to the team: 'We gotta do something bigger, something better. Something different.'

"We were having back to back meetings, bouncing ideas. Then it hit me. I started jotting down ideas, thinking - 'live band, need a live band. August 2023, a summer time thing outside for the people. Always for my people.'

"So, August 2023, Victoria Park. More info coming soon….This Is What We Mean Day. Hard.”

Artists handpicked by Stormzy are: Kehlani, Sampha, Knucks, Lucky Daye, WSTRN, Ms Banks and The No Signal Stage, with more acts still to be announced.

The Stormzy annoucement follows confirmation that Jungle are playing their only live UK date on Saturday, August 26, while Haim bring this year’s event to a close on Bank Holiday Monday, two bands which captures what makes All Points East such a unique, award-winning festival – and it's right here on our doorstep.

Joining Jungle on the Saturday stage is Erykah Badu, making a rare appearance in the capitol, while the indie line-up for Friday, August 25, is a guitar-led riff-o-ramma with headliners The Strokes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and one of the hottest live bands of the moment, Australia’s Amyl and the Sniffers, returning to East London following sell-out gigs at the York Hall last November.

Hackney Gazette: Jungle headline Saturday nightJungle headline Saturday night (Image: Luno Presents)

Now in its fifth year and spread across two weekends of music, what makes APE especially unique is In The Neighbourhood (In The NBHD), a four-day free family event where the community can truly get involved.

Curated in collaboration with Tower Hamlets Council, the free-to-all In The NBHD programme will once again schedule a four-day party (August 20 - August 23) which captures the diversity of contemporary East London while providing fun-filled days to appeal to all age groups.

This year’s In The NBHD is shaping up to deliver an equally diverse and entertaining range of community led events, which make those four days between the festival weekends so special, and which makes APE such a unique music experience. During previous festivals, over 20 local groups and organisations have taken part annually, and this year will be no exception.

Hackney Gazette: A big screen chillout at last year's NBHDA big screen chillout at last year's NBHD (Image: Rory James)

Last year’s In The NBHD’s included the ever popular Outdoor Cinema, while local community groups and organisations also played an active role. There was a strong emphasis on sport during In The NBHD 2022, with West Ham and Saracens RFC inviting youngsters along to the park to participate in football and rugby sessions. During these Give-It-A-Go days, you could try your hand at cricket, while the Tower Hamlets Tennis was also on hand, hosting introductory tennis classes.

Hackney Gazette: The yoga drop-in session was a big hitThe yoga drop-in session was a big hit (Image: Rory James)

And when you needed to stretch off after all that running around, people headed for the free drop-in yoga sessions, set against the glorious trees of Victoria Park.

But 2022 wasn’t all about sport, there were plenty of other activities, too. Along with DJs and live music, there was hip hop bingo, activities organised by the V&A museum, a Kids’ Play Zone and storytelling by Children’s Theatre. Equally, you could just chill and grab a drink and something to eat from one of the pop-up bars and street food stalls.

Expect the same all-inclusive vibe this year. Expect four days of variety and free fun for everyone. Keep up to date, either through the Gazette or the All Points East website.

All Points East 2023 - what we know so far

Hackney Gazette: Haim close APE 2023Haim close APE 2023 (Image: All Points East)

Friday, August 18: Stormzy - This Is What We Mean Day

Saturday, August 19: APE Presents Field Day: Aphex Twin and Bonobo + more

Sunday, August 20 - Wednesday, August 23: In the Neighbourhood 

Friday, August 25: The Strokes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Girl in Red, Amyl and the Sniffers, Angel Olsen, Black Midi, Julie, Hot Wax, Nieve Ella

More to be announced

Saturday, August 26: Jungle, Erykah Badu, the, BadBadNotGood, 070 Shake, Charlotte Day Wilson, La Silva, Ragz Originale, Pretty Girl

Sunday, August 27: To Be Announced

Monday, August 28: HAIM, Girl in Red, Confidence Man, Lizzy McAlpine, Tove Lo, Joesef, Snail Mail, Tamino, Romy, Avalon Emerson & The Charm, Mae Stephens, Nell Mescal, GIGI,  Nieve Ella

More to be announced