Field Day, a beloved annual event for electronic enthusiasts from London and beyond, marked its presence will an almighty bang at East London’s Victoria Park on Saturday, August 19.

Fans were met with lengthy queues at the gates. Still, entrance into the festival was a streamlined and careful affair, a far cry from the horror stories we often hear of other festivals. This year’s lineup featured impressive acts like Bonobo, Moderat, Fever Ray, Jon Hopkins, and the iconic Aphex Twin, ensuring an eclectic mix of acts for all tastes. 

Mid-afternoon Fever Ray took to the East Stage, providing haunting vocals paired with ethereal beats. Karin Dreijer (formerly of the Knife) captivated the crowd and delivered an emotionally charged execution.

Jon Hopkins‘ set at the West Stage drew a sizeable crowd, likely due to the electronic mastermind’s six-year hiatus. Hopkins treated his adoring audience to a mix of old and new, dialing up the intensity as he progressed until there was only what could be described as a dancing frenzy before him. 

The West Stage then saw the arrival of Bonobo, the stage’s headliner, whose ambient build-up seemed to have the crowd restless at first. The tranquil yet dynamic start soon developed into more, including several tracks from his most recent release, the 2022 album Fragments. Things amping up impressed festival-goers, who were finally able to let loose and come alive.

Moderat then descended on the Cupra North Arena, a supergroup comprising Modeselektor and Apparat. The lighting was the star of this show, complementing the highly-charged performance. 

The grand finale was Aphex Twin at the East Stage. His sharp compositions reverberated amid multicolor visuals on the screens, challenging the audience’s senses. While demanding, the performance provided a fitting end to an event that invigorated London’s electronic scene with a burst of energy.