Preview of Lovebox Weekender's monster line up at Victoria Park, London

London’s premier underground festival is back for its eleventh year. And it’s bigger than ever - attracting the crème de la crème of the hip hop, dubstep and alternative scene. Promising 3 days, over 100 acts and 12 arenas set in 40 acres of beautiful parkland in Victoria Park, Hackney.

This year’s headliners include 90s hip hop legends Jurassic 5, potty mouth rapper Azealia Banks and avant dance favourites Goldfrapp. Its diverse and edgy, yet middle-class feel set it apart from most big festivals in London, if not the UK.

Apart from the aforementioned, the acts I've earmarked include 90s love god D’Anglo, Soul II Soul’s frontman Jazzie B, DJs SBTRKT, underground's favourite commercial rapper Wiley, the Mercury nominated Ghostpoet and Liane La Havas, serial felon Lil Kim and actor, rapper, singer, writer, director Plan B. And yes, her milkshake will definitely bring me to the yard, the mighty Kelis.

Not many festivals could boast a Russian Standard House of Davai tent, where you can get the best of Russian culture (I assume vodka) with cabaret and comedy, wild dancing and twisted disco beats, while enjoying a traditional Russian Mule cocktail.

There are also stages provided by the Jazz Café, music magazines The Fly and Crack and stage curated by trumpet man Mark Ronson and Annie Mac (weirdly, her other half – the immense Toddla T – is on another stage).

The festival, founded by dance duo Groove Armada, has in the past hosted a diverse line up from The Flaming Lips to Jimmy Cliff and Gang of Four to Sly and The Family Stone. They've also showcased the up and coming talents of Florence and The Machine, Friendly Fires, Hot Chip and chipperty-chip Chipmunk.

This festival has something for everyone, if they like it a little different and with balls. With a stellar line up that promises to blow up, leaving bigger corporate festivals like Reading and Leeds, Glastonbury and V Festival in its wake. Proving that all good things really do come in small, kick-ass packages.

First published 2013