Photos – www.outlookfestival.com
In the decade since its first outing, Outlook Festival has evolved into the Europe’s most loved celebration of sound system culture, each year uniting thousands of people in its fortress home for the best in a dub, reggae, hip-hop, bass, dubstep and beyond. This year’s line-up is a testament to Outlook’s 10-year history, spread across eight stages each with their own style; paying homage to artists who have pioneered genres from the beginning, plus looking to the future stars of the movement. Between 7th – 10th of September, Fort Punta Christo sees an all-encompassing programme spanning live acts, selectors, takeovers and more. With Wu-Tang Clan badman Ghostface Killah headlining, David Rodigan and his Ram Jam takeover, Deep Medi, Hatcha and Friends, Shogun Audio, Swamp 81 X Kaizen, Butterz, Just Jam, 15 Years of Critical Music and much more. With the baddest sound systems in the world and an unparalleled line-up for any bass-obsessives, Outlook Festival will shake the fortress once again.
THE CLEARING
Here you can expect heritage acts and legendary labels to collide with new kids on the block as Wu-Tang Clan don Ghostface Killah headlines, with D’n’B Don Goldie slamming it out with guest MC GQ, plus Britain’s freshest voice in hip-hop Loyle Carner. Jungle Maestro’s Congo Natty brings Congo Dubz, General Levy, Lady Chann, Iron Dread & Nanci to centre stage, following Dj Marky & Mc Lowqui, Macka B & The Roots Ragga Band, Eva Lazarus And Munky. David Rodigan’s Ram Jam party takes over The Clearing on Saturday, with a heavy bill headed up by the man himself, plus Shy FX and Stamina MC, Horace Andy, Digital Mystikz V Loefah & Sgt Pokes, Dub Phizix & Strategy and Mungo’s Hifi, with Gentlemans Dub Club live in the place. Sunday’s session is one for the grimey gang, with Godfather and Eski don Wiley headlining, plus breakout West London talent AJ Tracey, NINES and Plastician all aboard, as well as heavyweight drum’n’bass from Friction and Critical SoundSystem with a hip hop label showcase from High Focus Records.
THE VOID
Glowing green for its 10th round, it’s a fitting take over in the Void with Star Warz, presenting Dispatch Recordings Vs Soul:ution on the Thursday night of Outlook. It’s heavy duty and hi-energy from start to finish with the likes of Calibre, Alix Perez B2b Skeptical and Randall. An unmissable takeover year on year is Deep Medi, who’ll host The Void on the Friday with a ground shaking showcase of dubstep, as Commodo, Compa, Kahn, Mala, grime don Spooky and more step up. Finally, it’s OG don and Outlook family member Hatcha joined by an all-star cast for Hatcha and Friends, with P Money, Zed Bias, Youngsta, Truth and more.
THE MOAT
Undoubtedly one of the Outlook highlights, The Moat is probably one of the most loved festival stages. Starting with a Swamp 81 and Kaizen collab on Thursday, it’s all bass-laced bangers from Biome, Chunky, Lamont, Loefah, Madam X And Paleman, Plus Silas & Snare, T-Man and Walton, hosted by the one and only MC Chunky. With a serious focus on selection, Saturday is something special, repping sister festival, Dimensions and UK talent. Festival lynchpin Dan Shake, Dimensions Sound System, Josey Rebelle and Bane play ahead of a throwback set in the hands of Randall, spanning 88-92. Dedicating Sunday to The Love Of Garage, its 2 step and vintage feel good vibes all the way as OG’s and dance floor mavericks Wookie, Matt Jam Lamont, Scott Garcia, Conducta rewind, with Mighty Moe & Flirta D back behind the mic.
MUNGO’S HIFI
Presented by Scotland’s sound system legends, Mungo’s Hifi, Mungo’s is a stage for the audiophiles and the bass heads; ready for to experience custom built systems that can rattle your bones. Thursday’s is an all dub / 140 affair with the ZamZam sounds takeover headed by Dub Dynasty (Alpha & Omega meets Alpha Steppa,) with support from mainstay Jack Sparrow, Deep Medi signee Compa, plus Von D, Egoless, E3 and Suns of Selah and Rider Shafique on mic duties. Sunday is one for the dub heads hosted by Leeds Subdub headed up by Michael Prophet with Vibronics, plus two of the world’s most revered systems join – Leeds born Iration Steppas and Brixton born Channel One, ran by the one and only Mikey Dread.
THE STABLES
Set to cause ruckus on Thursday at The Stables are London studio legends, Radar Radio, with an all-night no nonsense takeover with friends and family, catch Hi5 Ghost & Boofy, Jammz, Big Zuu, Kojo Funds, Amy Becker, Mungo, Jetsss, Jossy Mitsu, Kenny Allstar And Oscar # Worldpeace in tow. Ocean Wisdom, Jehst, Jonwayne, MNDSGN, Mr Thing plus Chris P cuts and Tropico crew follow on Friday night with hip-hop flavours and beat explorations presented by Boom Bap. Saturday will be a madness, as cheeky Manchester crew LEVELZ bring a full squad of MC’s and DJ’s to Outlook. Sunday is an eclectic affair headed up by Swamp 81 boss man Loefah and selector supreme Josey Rebelle.
THE BEACH
Thursday unites a handful of DJ’s and live acts, including Stones Throw and NTS affiliate Sofie, plus The Mouse Outfit, first lady of reggae Dawn Penn and soulful songstress Jorja Smith. One of the breakout artists of 2017, Princess Nokia also performs, plus the legendary Roots Manuva aka Rodney Smith, who at six studio albums deep shows no sign of slowing. Friday sees DJ Marky holding the beach down on a higher tempo tip, bringing a host of MC’s and DJs covering jungle and DnB, with LTJ Bukem & Lowqui, Fabio, Junior SP and DJ Busyfingers through. Manchester’s carnival collective ‘Swing Ting’ unite a solid gold crew for their seriously feel-good party on Saturday, recruiting Madd Again! feat Zed Bias, Killa Benz, Specialist Moss and Trigga, Equiknoxx feat Shanique Marie.
THE GARDEN
Expanding in capacity this year, Outlook’s Garden stage lifts off with Butterz mega takeover. It’s club ready grime drawing on the best in garage, UK bass and bassline with Vital Techniques, ft. Pean, Murlo, Royal T, Elijah & Skiliam, Flava D, Swindle, DJ Q, Champion and MC Serious and bassline trio, TQD. Critical 15 take the Garden to another dimension with their key players and renowned sound. Expect maximum tempos and relentless energy and DnB with Austrian powerhouse Mefjus, Emperor, Enei, Kasra, Ivy Lab, Sam Binga, Signal, One87 and MCs DRS GQ & SP:MC holding it down for 15 years of Critical.
THE BALLROOM
Outlook’s one of the cosiest arena, the Ballroom opens up with dance floor ready DnB from Crux & Scimmia, Ocho, Ros and more. Parisian stronghold “Vandal Records” takeover on Friday, with label players and French national talent – Future Skankerz and Elisa Do Brasil join Shield, Arkaik, SKS. Afruit, Not Guilty, and many more give way to sets from Milage B2b Jayfor W/ Mc Snipes, Scope B2b Kopex B2b Rvs and Danox B2b Wolfy B2b Haxby to name only a few. Bringing the arena to a close on Sunday, it’s an all-star Australian and New Zealand takeover. Repping the scene down under, Safire, Sphere, T-Bone, Ill Figz & Dapht One, Ncrypt, Skopus, Buck Rogers, Ewol and Truth to round out the Ballroom’s mayhem.
A lot can change over ten years, but Outlook Festival’s dedication, passion and ability has secured their place as one of the leading festival promoters worldwide. See you there!
