The Brick Lane Music Festival

This week we run the rule over the weekend’s biggest event, the Brick Lane Music Festival.
The Brick Lane Music Festival picture

Returning to East London for its sixth year, Brick Lane Music Festival looks like it’s going to be bigger and better than ever. Two days of events include DJs, bands and beatboxers providing the sounds to get you stomping in the street.

This weekend’s event is free but a suggested donation will go towards the NSPCC’s children’s charity when you collect your wristbands from Café1001, Big Chill Bar or The Vibe Bar. Artists including Ray Keith, DJ MK, Om Unit and David Rodigan are confirmed in what will no doubt be the weekend’s biggest show.

Grab a wristband in advance to make certain of entry to one of the three main venues – or alternatively embrace dancing in the street, Martha and The Vandellas style…

Here’s what the venues have to offer:


Café 1001

Everybody knows Brick Lane’s favourite weekend-daylight-party place, but this weekend Café 1001 will have even more to offer. The live music stage on both Saturday and Sunday will host OM Unit, Drum ‘n’ Bass legend Ray Keith and Urban Nerds’ Daddy Nature – plus various beatboxers and swing dancers for your delight.


Vibe Bar

Just around the corner from Café 1001, inside the Old Truman Brewery complex, stands the next venue of the Brick Lane Music Festival, The Vibe Bar. Make the most of the courtyard BBQ before diving into Loefah (Swamp 81), Rattus Rattus of Urban Nerds and David Rodigan. If this isn’t the perfect sign off to summer then maybe you’ve been listening to too much Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince – come back to reality and say goodbye to the sun in style.


The Big Chill Bar

The final event venue is The Big Chill Bar, stalking the northern end of Dray Walk. Hip-hop, RnB, electro and soul will shake the Lane and the line-up includes DJ Rags from legendary night, Livin’ Proof along with The Last Skeptik, Physically Fit and Bruk Out.


The Official Brick Lane Music Festival after party takes place in the Truman Brewery under Café 1001 on Saturday night with Twin Sister taking control. And if you can handle it, Hypercolour’s Alex Jones is there alongside Betoko until six in the morning…

Published Sep 9, 2012