So, for a second, fast forward through this chilly forthcoming bank holiday to the one with better weather. Yup, the one at the end of May.
And what could be more ace than a new music festival connecting three of E11’s top hangouts in one big community bash? Even better, there’ll be a none-too-shabby 30 live acts and DJs. Wowsers.
The name of this day of choonage and merriment? Why, Shake The High Road. Its nucleus, handily enough, is the trinity of venues that comprise Red Lion, Luna Lounge and All You Read Is Love, (our favourite stop-off for cocktails, in fact).
So who’s taking the stage? Well, for starters, indie popsters Woman’s Hour, who are playing their first live show in a year, which will feature material on the follow-up to lovely 2014 debut Conversations.
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And storming the late-night party slot will be London’s hippest brass band Brassroots, doing a ‘strictly Prince’ set, an hour of purple classics reinvented by this truly awesome seven-piece ensemble (some of you may have seen them rock Peckham’s Bussey Building the other night).
Elsewhere there’s some soulful reggae from Kioko (currently being caned by David Rodigan on 1Xtra), post-punk sci-fi madness from Snapped Ankles, and guitar-and-drums duo Cowbell. Chuck in a real ledge, the Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Quintet (Sosimi invented Afrobeat alongside Fela Kuti’s Egypt 80) and you can see how nicely eclectic this (hopefully boiling hot) day of music is shaping up to be.
And that’s not forgetting DJ sets from the likes of Mystery Jets, 2 Bears’ Raf Daddy, Bullion and Black Peaches.
So, if this all sounds like your bag, tickets are from £13.50 (a snip compared to other festivals) and once you’ve got a wristband on you can hop between venues to your heart’s content. If one’s full, for example, you can simply bob over to another. Expect a few surprises too – including a pop-up record fair – so keep an eye on the website for more info.
Oh, and since this is the inaugural event, if you’re a proud Leytonstoner, it’s a case of use-it-or-lose-it. Right?
Shake The High Road takes place on Saturday 27th May. Follow them on Twitter @shakehighroad and tweet something witty for a pair of free tickets (there are 5 pairs going so be quick!) For tickets and more info head here
