Wide Awake Festival, now established as one of London’s most distinctive festivals, has announced its second round of acts for 2023, reaffirming why they are such a unique event. Taking place on May 27th 2023 the festival will welcome the likes of Caroline Polachek, Shygirl, Daniel Avery (Live), Coucou Chloe, Blondeshell, Enumclaw, Jockstrap, Joy Orbison, Molchat Doma, Oneohtrix Point Never, Optimo (Espacio), The Bug Club, The Underground Youth and VTSS, joining the already announced Ty Segall, Osees, Gilla Band and more.
Maintaining their ethos of creating unmissable line-ups featuring leftfield indie, post-punk, electronica, techno, and jazz; the second wave of acts will see Wide Awake host some of the most iconic names across those genres.
American singer-songwriter Caroline Polachek is confirmed as a very deserved headliner. Bringing her own brand of unique pop to the Wide Awake crowds, the former Chairlift singer will be sure to show just why she’s one of the most talked about artists in the world right now. Joining her will be South London’s very own Shygirl, fresh from releasing her debut album and ready to set the dance floor alight. Festival favourite Daniel Avery also joins the cast, bringing his inimitable and unrivalled electronic craftsmanship to the packed-out lineup.
Dance floor connoisseur Joy Orbison has also been confirmed alongside Molchat Doma, who will be bringing their dark, yet danceable energy to the table. Also featuring is the exhilarating Coucou Chloerenowned for her wild and chaotic live performances, not to mention the visceral Blondeshell, who will be bringing her unbridled rock anthems to the Wide Awake stage. Seattle rockers Enumclaw, known for their big personalities and grungy bangers join the bill, with the very much in-demand UK duo Jockstrapbringing their darkwave pop stylings to Brockwell Park.
Continuing the stellar lineup are cult heroes Optimo (Espacio), the legends that influenced dance music in Glasgow and beyond; with additional artists including nonconformist Oneohtrix Point Never alongside ever-playful The Bug Club – who have just released their debut album. Manchester-born, mesmerising Berlin-based collective The Underground Youth will be present, not forgetting the adventurous VTSSbringing her very own brand of infectious energy to the festival.
Championing what is important and highlighting social issues have always been an imperative part of the Wide Awake philosophy. This year the Wide Awake team have been cultivating a cultural programme that is reflective of this. Hate Zine is a 100% independent, anti-capitalist publication joining forces with Wide Awake to host panels and workshops; with a focus on the housing crisis, the environment, and gender equality within the music industry and community. Born and raised in London, Rough Trade is a series of independent record shops in the UK and US. Known purveyors of great music, Rough Trade will be back in the field On Tour with vinyl, merch and a killer line-up of album signings with more partnerships TBA.
Wide Awake are proud to be supporting the charity, Something To Look Forward To this year. The charity runs a website for people with cancer and their families to access a variety of gifts generously donated by people and companies. Wide Awake will be offering tickets to the platform as well as making a donation to the charity.
The first run of stage partners for this year’s festival comprises Bad Vibes x LNZRT, independent South London venues that continue to support emerging artists (Corsica x The Windmill), electronic music tastemakers SC&P, The Gun and the iconic Los Angeles-based festival, Desert Daze.
