What better way to kick off our favourite season than with the return of the Queen’s Yard Summer Party?
Sprawling across 16 venues in East London hotspot Hackney Wick, you could feel the buzz radiating through the yard the second you stepped off the overground. A collective community of artists, organisers and crowds upon crowds of lively party people, showed up and showed out for a stomp in the Saturday sunshine.
Queens Yard ties the many threads of London’s electronic music scene together, with takeovers from familiar hosts Picnic, Eastern Margins and Percolate (to name only a few). Presented as a Local Art, Culture and Wellness Program, this event does exactly what it says on the tin – bringing a sense of heartfelt unity as dancers drift from venue to venue, soaking up the perfectly curated feast of creativity.
Starting at Number 90, the beloved hub is warmed up by funky friends of Disco Disco, including DJ and radio presenter Helena Star. Jacana People carried us into the evening, followed by the talented Bklava with their vocal hybrid mix. Semi Delicious then took over the night, rounding off with a b2b from Demi Risquisimo and Michelle Manetti.
Shimmying through the canalside crowds, we stumbled upon a ‘shroomy utopia in Studio 92. Hosts throughout the day include Better Days and Emergency Room, bridged by a slamming set from SUCHI. This pocket of the party also saw Jasper Tygner bring his mesmerising live show to Studio 94, which was later closed by pirate radio legend Oneman. Nestled in the corner of the lot, greenhouse GROW was rattling from the roof as groovers spanned every inch of the multi-level space to get down to the sound of the Re:sonate Residents.
Back in The Yard, we discovered the Theatre, where we stepped Left, Right and Centre with Korzi, Softi b2b Fassbender and Sicaria. The talents of underground electronic booking agency Ninkasi spanned The Yard Courtyard lineup, including UKG master Dr Banana and esteemed Nottingham promoter Lukas Wigflex spinning their magic spells.
CRATE combined the Brewery and Terrace to create a vibrant pop of house music rippling along the canal, presented by party hosts such as Sub:System, Bizarre Trax and Sheffield’s Apricot Ballroom.
Across Hackney Bridge, we discovered The Log Cabin, Amphitheatre and Unit C – a collection of new spaces and sound systems overlooking The Wick. Here you can chill out, grab a bite, and catch Percolate providing the vibes, with standout performances from Crazy P and RAW SILK.
The fringes of the festival are made up of The Lord Napier Star, HWK Courtyard, and All My Friends, where The Cause FM kept the party going until 4 AM with Kyle Monologue, Blixa, Karl Karlson and Jack Hughman.
Of course, no Queen’s Yard roundup would be complete without the centrepiece that is Colour Factory; a former beer warehouse-cum-multi-purpose-venue of queer and creative expression, also hosted by Percolate alongside Freerotation. We love to get lost in the Colour Factory lights as they bounce from the immense disco ball overhead. This renowned space also features the Colour Garden (with Jive Talk and Picnic), Colour Cocktails and the Colour Mez, tucked away in the rafters with the likes of Tibasko and Cosmic Caz.
The Queen’s Yard Party set a summery sizzle in the East London air, booting off the party calendar with an unmatched energy that promises special times ahead – we can’t wait to see what the rest of the season has in store.
Photography by Gemma Parker, Sienna Gray and Daisy Denham