London’s essential festival, All Points East, opened with a truly unique show for 2025 with Cleo Sol, Chronixx and SAULT delivering the epic production ‘PROVENANCE’, set in a monumental desert landscape and introduced as “a celebration of black excellence.”
The East Stage was transformed using new giant wraparound screens and a walkway out to a pyramid in the midst of the 40,000-strong crowd.
Celebrity fans present to witness an exclusive show included Letitia Wright, Celeste, Nick Grimshaw, Jessie Ware, James Norton and Miquita Oliver.
Following a full afternoon programme on All Points East’s other stages, ‘Provenance’ opened with choir and orchestra and a stunning set, including a huge pyramid connected from the main stage by a walkway, rising to the heavens on the big screens. A figure crossed the walkway to the park’s pyramid, bearing parchment followed by a holy procession – but the peace would not last.
And this was no normal Biblical scene. Figures in motorcycle helmets and boilersuits emerged from a desert hut on stage, before Adam and Eve were told of their free will by the Creator.
The collective SAULT led a show as bold as has ever been seen at a London music festival – but, despite the high concept, this was a show about “good vibrations”.
With the drama of the scene established, the arrival of bass set off the audience for the likes of Cleo Sol’s ‘Life Will Be’, the disco pop of ‘Why Why Why Why Why’, which had the audience singing and clapping along, a sumptuous ‘Pray For Me’.
If the stage was spectacular, so were the costumes, all flowing robes moving with the music on the 20-strong dance troupe.
On a sweltering day, a joyous set from Chronixx brought warmth to the festival with tracks including ‘Legend’ and ‘Survivor’: “All Points East, this is the time to have faith and be strong.”
The star brought on a guest in the form of Kelissa for ‘Way You Make Me Feel’.
A surprise appearance came in the form of Yasiin Bey (formerly known as Mos Def) and his collaborator The Alchemist for their Forensics project. It was the performance of a hip-hop master and featured a rendition of his classic ‘Umi Says’ and modern works such as ‘Condition of Terms’.
Cleo Sol and the artists around her value the communities around them, as does All Points East itself, and organisations including Boroughs United, Hackney Caribbean Elderly Organisation, Rising Tide and The Pilion Trust were each given a moment in the spotlight on stage.
Cleo herself topped off the groundbreaking event, resplendent in silver evening dress.
With songs like ‘Know That You are Loved’ and ‘Rose In The Dark’ she has a genuine claim to a clutch of modern soul classics.
“Thank you for being here. I don’t take this for granted. I appreciate you singing along. We feel the energy up here and it’s beautiful,” Cleo told the audience.
‘There Will Be No Crying’, ‘Things Get Better’ and ‘Reason’ were sublime before an ecstatic ‘Sunshine’ and the salsa of ‘Don’t Let It Go To Your Head’.
Cleo Sol’s set topped a sweltering summer day in which Ms. Dynamite brimming with energy, burst onto the X Stage to the sound of her signature tune, ‘Dy-Na-Mi-Tee’ and on the West Stage Sasha Keable treated fans to songs from her just-released album, Act Right.
Mariah The Scientist, performing in the Cupra North Arena, said: “I’ve never seen London this hot in my life, and this is the day I choose to wear fur and leather!” This was before Kirk Franklin staged a full gospel revival, bringing joy and church to Victoria Park, a moment of genuine connection that saw the audience fully involved.
This year’s All Points East also includes headliners Cleo Sol (Friday 15 August), Chase and Status (Saturday 16 August), Pete Tong (Sunday 17 August, free show), Barry Can’t Swim (Friday 22 August), RAYE (Saturday 23 August), and The Maccabees (Sunday 24 August).
