The Emerge East Festival Is Back to Barking Riverside with a Block Party

The Emerge East Festival will return for the fourth consecutive year in Barking Riverside and you can see why. This new neighbourhood in East London could of easily been picked because of its easy access due to the Suffragette Overground line or if you wanted travel by the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers across the Thames.

Alongside these new transport links, Barking Riverside is located on the river, and it is home to a steadily growing community that focuses on togetherness and cultural expression.

Emerge East is its yearly festival, which celebrates creativity, community and nature with a full-day programme that caters to everyone. 

There will be art, music, food provided by local residents, and also engaging workshops inspired by nature.

The festival will provide a platform for homegrown music artists to perform on the day, with festival organisers Hemingway Design and grassroots creative collective One Room putting on the Barking Riverside Block Party for the first time.

The block party will offer music that reflects the multiculturalism of London but especially East London paying homage to Diaspora.

Expect Soul, R&B, Amapiano, house and techno music, as well as Traditional  South Asian and deep cuts. Catering to a wide range of people there will also be feel good tracks from the 90s and 2000s, encouraging people to sing along to their favourites led by Capital Xtra DJ Shayna Marie and hosted by Robert Bruce.

“We’re pleased to partner with New Wave magazine as part of our brand-new Block Party stage”, said Sarah McCready, the Director of Social Infrastructure at Barking Riverside Limited.

New Wave, via our music outlet New Wav. SOUND is turning up the volume at Emerge East Festival with an electrifying DJ competition inspired by the energy of the riverside. Under the theme “Riverside Rave”, we’re searching for the next wave of DJs ready to move the crowd and redefine the sound of tomorrow.

Three emerging DJs will be handpicked to take the stage, each delivering a 20-minute set that showcases their unique energy, genre-blending style, and ability to move the crowd. The winner will be crowned the first-ever Emerge East x New Wav. SOUND Champion alongside some other Prizes on the day.

Speaking further she explains: “The full lineup at Emerge East represents the best of London’s music scene – from grassroots DJs to radio favourites, blending both future talent and well-known headliners.

“In addition to the exciting addition of the stage, Emerge East is a full day of food, art, wellbeing, and creativity set within Barking Riverside – one of the warmest and most welcoming communities in East London.”

A hands-on construction workshop will be run by Woodland Tribe, who specialise in educational play, and Atelier Sisu’s sculpture Meliora will have its European premiered.

Meliora is a large architectural sculpture that represents positive change, presented by Creative Barking and Dagenham in partnership with Barking Riverside Ltd, with the support of Global Streets and funding from Arts Council England.

There will also be a designated wellness zone and Riverside Sauna that festival goers will be invested to try.

The festival takes place on Saturday 6th September between 11am and 9pm. Tickets availabe HERE for free