We Out Here Festival 2023 Review
Photos: Kate Vice
We had a magical time at We Out Here it was beautifully refreshing! We’d love to share with you some of the highlights from our time there in no particular order.
We wondered over to the Lush Life stage and an artist called Kassa Overall graced the stage. I personally hadn’t heard of him but was curious as the audience were bouncing. He was effortless on stage the audience were captivated, the jazzy-rap sound we have always loved, his flow gliding over the beats. He officially has a found a new fan!
Knucks brought the energy we knew he would on the main stage. We have the pleasure of witnessing a gentlemen ahead of us that was fully locked in, when his favourite song came on he was skanking away and nobody was going to stop him. He playing my favourite tune ‘Leon the Professional’. The atmosphere from the crowd were immaculate vibes.
Yazmin Lacey soothed our souls on the main stage and was exactly what we needed on Sunday she played my favourites ‘From A Lover’ and ‘Bad Company’. She also did two stunning covers of ‘The Sweetest Taboo’ by Sade and ‘All Night Long’ by Mary Jane Girls.
30/70 had the audience dancing and moving throughout their whole set on the Lush Life stage. Allysha Joy wowed us with her vocals and I’ve never seen someone use so many percussion pieces back to back the way she does, it was amazing. I especially loved the song ‘Misrepresented’ it was impactful and a complete delight on the ears. The audience loved them so much that they chanted for one more song and our wish was granted. I have to say they were my favourite act of the whole festival.
Wesley Joseph was amazing on the Lush Life stage his vocals shocked me at times, I don’t think I was prepared! His flow was effortless as he gave us a hypnotic set, I especially loved his performance of ‘Ultramarine’. Ragz Originale had all those songs you just bop too, you know the ones that make your shoulders go up and down. He played my favourite tune ‘girls kiss girls’ and I was dancing away. The audience loved him they bopped along as he took over the Lush Life stage.
BINA. at the Big Top was a pleasure to watch! It felt special for us as this was our first time seeing her with a full band. She waded across the stage and owned it, was beautiful performance. Seeing her journey has been wonderful and the crowd loved her we could tell some of the audience knew her songs as I listened to people singing along with her. We had the pleasure of interviewing her after her set, so make sure you look our for that.
Nia Archives was vibes as her set turned into an outdoor club and karaoke session, she played banger after banger. Bonobo hypnotised the audience with his set, he stepped in as a last minute change and absolutely smashed it.
Our absolute favourite play to shake a leg was the Lemon Lounge it was small tent we are talking sweatbox vibes which had multiple DJs throughout the festival. Sometimes until 3am or 4am in the morning for those late night skankers. From Hip-Hop, Grime, Dancehall, Afrobeats, Amapiano and more, there was something for everyone to dance to. We absolutely loved Lady Lykez set in there it was INSANE! She had the audience going crazy and was definitely in my top 3. It was the first time I had ever been in a Grime moshpit and I would absolutely do it again, it was so much fun! Her flow was mental, crazy energy everything about it was incredible. She played my favourite tune ‘Eurgh!’ and had to wheel it because people were not prepared in the slightest for her immaculate techy flow that I have been listening to for years All I will say is that next time she needs a bigger stage, she had everyone locked in. I hope I get to see her perform again
In the downtime moments we very much enjoyed our free hand cream courtesy of haeckels which we would highly recommend by the way it smells divine. Plus putting our feet up in the hammocks whilst the sun glazed over our faces. We visited the wellness area which was separate from rest of the hustle and bustle of the festival. Which I thought was a wonderful touch in case you wanted some time out. We enjoyed the last part of Tone Central’s DJ set he played some Kaytranada and D’Angelo and we vibed with him whilst chilling on some bean bags. There was a sweet young girl who also was enjoying his set as she hula hopped and we all clapped and wooed for her it was rather wholesome. We also decided to go roller skating which I haven’t done in years and they played so many great tunes. I knew it was meant to be as they played ‘Back In The Day’ by Erykah Badu and I sung my little heart out of course.
The final day was filled with a very special performance from legendary artist hip hop royalty duo Black Star, before Mercury Prize shortlisted Ezra Collective gave the main stage a deserved send-off with a high-energy show.
Founder & curator Gilles Peterson commented: "I can’t tell you how much I value this gathering of the tribes. The crowd, the crowd, the Crowd!!! That’s what it’s all about - you can’t buy that - it’s what’s been built over the years… a unique and magic mix - with a massive shout-out to a growing number coming in from all around the world. As Femi Koleoso said during the incredible Ezra Collective closing set … ‘this moment (scene) was built on previous moments’. This isn’t algorithmic, this is relationships built up through music over time, and how beautiful it is to see the youth taking it to new levels!"
