The Habituation of Festival Practices Becomes Transformed By Cloud X's Festival, Granting Diversity!

Reminiscing on the moments of an event is something we all undoubtedly love to do. Looking back at last year's Cloud X Festival, we embrace the themes of community, creativity, and inclusion as we are surrounded by talent, euphoric ambience, and delicious cuisine. A platform has been raised to celebrate artists such as INFAMOUSIZACK, Etta Bond, JGRREY, Sainte, Santino Le Sainte, A2 and Rasharn Powell, all with the aid of Native Sound System and Live Nation. Talking to New Wave last year, founders of Cloud X, Ben Cross and David Dabieh, touched on wanting to "re-invent what a contemporary festival looks like in the UK" along with their inclusive team. With unique ideas, they hand-picked authentic food and drink vendors with cultural backgrounds from Guadeloupe, Ghana, and the Caribbean, creating an ambiance where one may arrive clueless and leave feeling like a festival veteran, a foodie, or a lover of London's creative culture. Culture and inclusivity was definitely embraced and a balanced gender lineup were some of the key topics that past attendees enjoyed from the festival. It changed their perspective on how festivals should be and what it’s future should look like.

@_shotbynee

“Cloud X aims to nurture and encourage the quality of simply being oneself! Every year our boutique and homegrown Cloud X Festival aims to curate an inclusive space for the next generation of pioneering creatives that are telling their stories in bold and original ways. It's all in the detail! Championing soul, R&B and alternative sounds we hope to give an intimate, inspiring and soul-warming day out. We were humbled to see the sellout response and feedback after last year's debut Cloud X Festival just two weeks out of lockdown, and we've been so blessed to see the growth of artists such as Lola Young (now Brit nominated), Juls (now Grammy-nominated), Sainte and more since then. We can't wait to share this year's lineup for live performers, food vendors and selectors, roll on the Summer of Love!”

David Dabieh touching on how Cloud X have undoubtedly converted the future of festivals, thus creating exhilarating aspirations.

Deducted from the gathered information, spectators are eager for this year’s festival, on the 7th August 2022. Such a collective of artists have released and demonstrated awe-inspiring projects, that Cloud X’s line up surrounds itself with talent broadening across genres such as soul, RnB and Alternative. Additionally, with the sounds of; Biig Piig, DJ Spinall, Felix The 1st, Jojo, Nayana IZ, Sam Wise, Santino Le Saint, Sasha Keable and Scuti, all whilst being hosted at East London’s historic Studio 338.

For a taste of what to expect this year, we want to revert to the summer of 2021, which saw the likes of Etta Bond, A2, Sainte, and Infamous IZAK take the stage at the Cloud X festival. Speaking to individuals that were lucky enough to attend, some of the stand-out performances came from artists such as Sainte and Jaz Karis on the main stage. The exuberant energy from the performances were to be remembered for years to come as the artists brought their stage precedes front and centre.

The outdoor spaces of the festival also did not lack in entertainment as artists such as Juls took over the area with his smooth selections alongside the Native Sound stage, which featured energetic sets from talents such as Deto Black and New World Ray. We spoke to some festival goers that experienced the day out, and their thoughts were:

Sainte's continuous wheel ups of Champagne Shots were crazy! I need to experience that again

It was so cool seining Etta Bond and A2 bring each other out for their sets, beautiful to see artists supporting each other!

The Native Sound stage was amazing! Can't wait for this year's festival.

Cloud X have never limited themselves to one genre, and this year’s lineup proves that spanning across the full spectrum. Joined by one of the founding members of West London’s pioneering NiNE8 Collective, Biig Piig will be performing her adaptive take on Hip-Hop, Pop and Neo-Soul, all with her soft, yet ethereal vocal at the forefront. The Cork native is best known for her breakout singles ‘Feels Right’ and ‘Oh No’, collabs with Lava La Rue and Metronomy and she took to Instagram last week to confirm that she’ll be releasing new music this month. Joining the family affair alongside Biig Piig is fellow NiNE8 member, genre-bending artist NAYANA IZ who broke out with her debut EP ‘SMOKE & FLY’ and has been going from strength to strength ever since. Born in India and raised in North London, her music straddles various genres and cultures all with an authentic, personal approach.

Tickets to the star-studded event are still available! Get tickets HERE

For more information, follow @cloudxfestival