Hackney Weekend

London’s Hackney Marshes hosted over 100 acts this weekend as part of the 2012 Festival to celebrate this summer’s Olympics. On Saturday June 23 and Sunday 23, BBC Radio 1’s Hackney Weekend boasted a stellar line-up including Leona Lewis, Ed Sheeran, Rihanna, Florence & The Machine, Kasabian, Lostprophets, Emeli Sande, Plan B, Jay-Z and Wretch 32.  Opener Leona Lewis told the BBC: “I used to sing at the Hackney Empire, when I was 13 I won a singing competition there and that fuelled me to keep going.” There was a tangible sense of excitement  surrounding the line up which mixed the likes of legendary Jay-Z with relatively new voices like Hackney’s own Professor Green. Hackney is the beating heart of hip London, jam-packed with clubs, galleries, and bars, so it was an ideal opportunity to soak up the atmosphere as well enjoy the sounds for the estimated 100,000 fans estimated at the free event.

For more details: www.bbc.co.uk/music/events/e9wmxj

Pierfrancesco Pacoda