Mitski at All Points East 2024

All Points East Festival returns to London’s Victoria Park for a series spanning a whole host of genres. In a triumphant but rarer occasion, the opening weekend closes with primarily female-led talent gracing the stage, culminating with alternative American singer-songwriter Mitski. Fresh from sell-out London shows earlier in the year, the Japanese-born singer performs her first-ever headline performance, bringing her signature eclectic drama and dance to match her flawless vocals on the East Stage.

There are a host of notable names on Sunday 18^th August’s lineup, all with dedicated fan followings, from indie-gothic star Ethel Cain who has previously toured with Mitski, Suki Waterhouse fresh from supporting Taylor Swift at her latest Era’s Tour, Mercury Prize-winner Arlo Parks and pop-rock musician Beabadoobee, who scored a UK number one just days earlier with third studio album This Is How Tomorrow Moves. Understandably, the day offers an atmosphere of underlying excitement but, in contrast to usual festival stereotypes, it’s a remarkably calm and chilled state of play.

Gracing the stage in a cloud of smoke, headliner Mitski holds character with openers Everyone and Buffalo Replaced, introducing (or reintroducing) the audience to her unique, dreamy and theatrical but understated style of performance. With a career spanning over a decade, including a musical retirement, return and subsequent TikTok-led viral popularity, Mitski is a wistful but mellow artist with a certain intimate depth about her, which feels like an unusual match, given the typical names closing the nights of All Points East. She’s loud and expressive in her own way, immersing herself fully in her craft and interpretive dance inspired by Japanese Butoh, be it with dedicated air guitar in country-esque The Frost, balancing on a chair in First Love/Late Spring or singing on her back in I Bet On Losing Dogs. The assured artist is certainly full of playful character and with a spaceship-worthy beam of light on stage, it feels ethereal and even otherworldly.

One of the set’s highlights is Mitski breaking character, giddily jumping up and down before leading a communal crowd stretch and giving advice following a full day of festival standing: “Don’t lock your knees.” With a simple but effective, cathartic energy, the singer-songwriter is able to captivate the audience almost solely in the spotlight (with the band very much in a supporting role). The staging is minimalistic but beautiful, with one of her most mainstream hits My Love Mine All Mine performed with a halo of floating mirror shards.

There’s extensive stage time to cover both better-known hits and wider catalogue, risking some moments that don’t engage everyone unless already familiar with the lyrical intensity or poignancy. The more intimate side of Mitski’s work feels slightly lost in translation on a big festival stage, but the artistic integrity that refuses to be sacrificed is equally impressive.

Ending with upbeat hits Nobody and Washing Machine Heart, the audience could interpretative dance their way home, with the singer’s first headline set remembered for her magical bluesy and folky vocals, wrapped up in a committed avant-garde performance. It may not be for everyone but it’s a mesmerising milestone.  

Bev Lung
Photos: Courtesy of BST Hyde Park

For further information and future events visit Mitski’s website here.

Watch the video for the single Star here: