LIDO Festival Day 2 - Club Roots and a London Love Letter

“Today is a day that really builds character,” mentioned Sampha as he inaugurated the main stage for the second day of the first edition of LIDO (curated by producer and DJ Jamie xx), and thanked those who braved the torrential rain. Strewn across the fields, a sea of waterproof jackets and makeshift ponchos appreciated the eclectic and experimental set, which truly showcased Sampha’s genre-shifting sensibilities, uniqueness, and undisputed vocal prowess. A special mention goes to the soul-melter No One Knows Me Like the Piano and the rawness of Plastic 100º’s live version, which was elevated by an incredible four-piece band.

As the rain subsided, Venezuelan-native Arca arrived, ready to party. With her characteristic humour and commanding presence, Prada and Rakata got people off the ground and moving. Arca is a force to be reckoned with, and it’s always a joyful experience to witness her talent live. Later in the day, Romy brought queer joy (and yearning) to an almost impenetrable tent on the secondary stage, again demonstrating that the party must go on despite the storm, both figuratively and metaphorically.

In a beautiful set, Romy paid homage to her foundational roots by singing the beloved Angels by The xx, as well as solo hits such as the WLM anthems She’s on My Mind and Loveher, even making time for an Ariana Grande dance-off moment to Into You. Romy stands out as an incredible, multilayered solo musician and producer. A queer woman singing about loving women has always been a defiant act, but in today’s regressing political climate, it is extra special to be part of the moment. The hit Enjoy Your Life, from Romy’s record Mid Air, wrapped up the set in euphoric closure.

As the day came to a close, Jamie xx brought unbridled electronic bliss to his hometown, aided by an emotionally charged trip down memory lane across a wide-spanning career that has consistently challenged the boundaries of genre and form. In an interview with The Guardian in September 2024, Jamie recounted how linear dance tracks aren’t his thing, and how his music often attempts to tell a story instead. It’s this natural yearning and non-linearity that connects people to his unique sound. One of the highlights of the night was the gathering of all members of The xx on stage for good old time’s sake — Jamie, Oliver Sim, and Romy — who embraced each other and thanked their beloved London for their energy after an emotional rendition of Waited All Night. From ‘In Colour’s’ Loud Places to Wanna, from Jamie’s most recent record ‘In Waves’, not a single foot stood still. 

This catharsis truly signifies the powerhouse of a legacy Jamie xx continues to imprint on the dance and electronic music scene, the cultural landscape, and beyond, as arguably the most remarkable British DJ-producer of our generation. It’s safe to say that Jamie soundtracked the millennial experience, and the day was a testament to that exact legacy. And, because there wouldn’t be live music without its lovers, festival goers were featured on the big screen with bold dance moves and even urgent calls for a Free Palestine. The set was also an analogue dream, and even if just for a brief moment in time, you could barely see a phone in sight; some moments are meant to be lived in the present, not recorded, and this was certainly one of them. The second day of LIDO Festival was living proof that if you look closely at the world around you, you’ll likely find a reason to lose yourself to dance. Oh, and of course, that despite rain or shine, London will never hang up its dancing shoes.

LIDO Festival continues with Outbreak Fest – a residency within the festival – dedicated to the northern counterculture and underground scene (13 June), Charli XCX (14 June), and London Grammar (15 June). Get your tickets here.

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WORDS BEA VASQUES

PHOTOS ANA PINTO