Written by Sophie Smith
To round off the bank holiday weekend in East London, Lido festival took over Victoria Park for the last boogie of the summer. With an incredible line-up featuring Kelis, Folamour, and headliners Maribou State, it was a day rich with electronic beats, crystal-clear instrumentals and music that makes you want to move.
Stepping onto the festival grounds, bodies dressed in colour and playful attire wandered between stages, friends making the most of their Monday off to lose themselves in rhythm as Lido returned for its second year in the city. To my left stood the tall blue peaks of the dance tent; straight ahead, Folamour in his classic bucket hat stretched across two giant screens, bopping along in unison with the punters below. Squeezing through a sea of disco-dancers, we secured a spot and joined in with the communal groove.
Beyond the main stage, the festival offered plenty of atmospheric sets, from Alabaster DePlume’s experimental avant-jazz and Lady Wray’s vintage soul to the deep Detroit house of Theo Parrish and Moodymann. Kelly Lee Owens brought ethereal electronics, while LTJ Bukem delivered jazz-influenced drum and bass. It was a day full of creative energy and undeniable talent.
As the sun began to dip, the darkened skies signalled it was time for the festival’s closing act, British electronic duo Chris Davids and Liam Ivory, better known as Maribou State. The crowds waited patiently, gazing upon the striking pre-set visuals as the stage slowly began to fill – a chorus to one side and a choir the other. Then, the moment we had been waiting for, Maribou State emerged for the 99th (and final) show of their 18-month Hallucinating Love tour, a bittersweet milestone.
A sense of anticipation grew as guest vocalist Talulah Ruby floated onto the stage, a vision in white. Her angelic vocals poured through the speakers, dancing through the air and reaching every corner of the park. Excited cheers rose from the audience before they began to sway beneath the bright lights. Looking around, not a single phone was in sight, just people absorbing the moment.
The knowledge that this could be the pair’s final live show for the foreseeable future made for a particularly powerful performance and send off for the much-loved duo. They played a blend of older favourites, including Midas and Glasshouses while also welcoming soulful singer Andreya Triana onto the stage for their recent single All I Need, drawing an immense reaction from the crowd.
It was a visually spectacular and memorable set from Maribou State and their ensemble to conclude the evening. Streams of white confetti spilled over fans as they stood in collective awe, bidding the musical pair goodbye, for now.
