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Queer Frequencies

22/08/2026 - 23/08/2026

Queer Frequencies

22/08/2026 - 23/08/2026

Weekend three of The Music is Black Festival from East Bank is Queer Frequencies, a takeover by London’s queer collectives redefining music, culture and community. Queer Frequencies is curated by a mix of different creatives including DJ Shy One, 'the Prince of Peckham' Mark-Ashley Dupé, east London creative Donnie Sunshine and DJ Joel Mignott.

With DJ sets, live music and shared moments, Queer Frequencies will take you on an unexpected journey across dance music and beyond whilst creating space for queer creatives to connect and collaborate.

Timings at a glance

Saturday 22 August | Join us from 12pm–midnight

  • Live music sets: 12–7pm
  • The Dance Floor is Black at Sadler’s Wells East: 12pm–midnight
  • Sounds & Stories Showcase at V&A East Museum: 2-6pm

Sunday 23 August | Join us from 12–6pm

  • Live music sets: 12–5pm
  • The Dance Floor is Black at Sadler’s Wells East: 12–6pm

Saturday 22 August

DJ Shy One sits with arms crossed looking at the camera

Saturday 22 August

The Waterfront Stage curated by Shy One and Mid Terrace curated by Donnie Sunshine

Having started off DJing on pirate radio as a teenager, Shy One has been influenced by the full spectrum of sounds that London has to offer. She has been closely involved with club nights building safe spaces for London's queer community and will bring that energy to The Waterfront Stage from 2-7pm. 

Donnie Sunshine is curating Mid Terrace on Saturday. An east London born, multi-disciplinary artist, Donnie brings his signature mix of forgotten cult classics as well as current niche selections all while keeping the energy high and the vibes euphoric.

The Waterfront Stage, 12-7pm

Curated by Shy One

Hosted by Mary Oluwa

12pm - JXLNDO

1.15pm - Sounds & Stories Talk with Seb Odyssey and Fiyahdred

1.50pm - JXLNDO

2pm - SisterMatic 

3.10pm - Private Joy

3.40pm - Lil C 

4.50pm - Seb Odyssey

6pm - Fiyahdred

A DJ at a deck with sparkly background behind him

Mid Terrace, 12-7pm 

Curated by Donnie Sunshine

Hosted by Töpia

12pm - Talia.A Darling

12.45pm - Töpia

1pm - DJ Biggy C

1.45pm - The CookOUT: EWA

2.30pm - Manny

2.45pm - Pride City: Tayo Iku

3.30pm - Jean-Mikhael

3.45pm - Trades: DRYBABE

4.30pm - The Connection Party: Ken Styles

5.15pm - Jungle Kitty: Mark-Ashley Dupé 

6pm - To The Left: Donnie Sunshine feat. Jugu, Alizé & Karteer 

Photo of Zinzi Minott

The Dance Floor is Black At Sadler's Wells East

Family Dance, 12-3pm, Hosted by Sun Sun, Vitamin & DJ Lil Tim.

Club Night, 7pm-late, Together We Felt The Bass with Zinzi Minott -  Close out your night with an evening of music, dance, poetry and sound art inspired by Queer nightlife. Curated by Zinzi Minott, the first artist trained in dance to be artist in residence at both Serpentine Galley and TATE.

Together We Felt The Bass set times: 

  • 7pm - DJ GIN
  • 8.30pm - Remi Graves
  • 8.40pm - DJ GIN
  • 9.10pm - Zinzi Minott - Rudzani Moleya
  • 9.20pm - DJ GIN
  • 9.50pm - Roxxxan MC
  • 10pm - DJ GIN
3 people in discussion

Sounds & Stories Showcase: 2-6pm, Top Floor, V&A East Museum

Head up to Level 3 of V&A East Museum to contribute to conversations about Black British culture and celebrate a new collection of writing and creative work from emerging talent.  Expect a live DJ set from Elijah, collective zine making, and an opportunity to explore a new collection of writing and creative responses by young emerging writers based in East London. Here you can collect your free copy of V&A East’s new zine about Black British Music, and have your say about what this means to you.

Sunday 23 August

Mark Ashley Dupe

Sunday 23 August

Curated by Mark-Ashley Dupé and Joel Mignott

Mark-Ashley Dupé is bringing not only his perfected genre-mixing sound of Pop, House, R&B, Ballroom, Afrobeats, Dancehall and Brazilian Funk but also his skills as a promoter to build a Sunday line up of The Waterfront Stage which is filled with brilliant artists.

Joel Mignott was the first DJ to play the main stage at London Pride in 2024 and is using his experience in creating spaces for freedom of expression to deliver a Mid Terrace line up which reflects the energy, style and freedom of contemporary Black queer dancefloor culture.

The Waterfront Stage, 12-5pm

Curated by Mark-Ashley Dupé

Hosted by MISS Jason

12pm - STUDS NEED LUV 2 x Allexus Saint

12.50pm - Carter the Bandit

1pm - POPOLA: Ivicore

1.45pm - Laville

2pm - Seasoned: Miller Black

2.45pm - Rileasa Slaves

3.45pm - Jungle Kitty x M-A.D

DJ Joel Mignott wearing a mesh top

Mid Terrace, 12-5pm

Curated by Joel Mignott

Hosted by DARKWAH

12pm - Natalie Sandi

1pm - Joel Mignott

2pm - Shaun Ross

3.30pm - Raven Mandella

A large crowd dancing and shouting

The Dance Floor is Black at Sadler's Wells East

Sunday sessions, 12-6pm, with Fagamuffin Bloc Party - Join queer carnival collective for a full-day pre-carnival party with DJs, MCs and dancers.

Experience the exhibition which inspired the Festival

Loving the sounds of The Music is Black Festival? Festival goers can enjoy 15% off exhibition tickets for The Music is Black: A British Story at V&A East Museum, by using TMIBFUN15 at checkout. Limited number of discounted tickets are available.

Offer valid on Adult, Under 26 and Disabled Person tickets. Use your code by 30 September 2026 to receive 15% off. Discount applies to the ticket price only and does not include voluntary donations.

Book now

Places to eat and drink

There are several local places to get refreshments during the Festival such as: Tsujiri, Ginger & Mint, Draughts, Chilli Padi, Park Kitchen & Bar, Riverside East and Park Kiosks on Tessa Jowell Boulevard.

There will also be pop-up food retailers available including: First Choice Caribbean Hut, Park Kitchen & Bar and Café Jikoni.

You are able to bring your own food and drink onto the Festival site, however, to ensure the safety of all attendees, please do not bring any glass with you. 

Help keep the Park litter-free. Please take your rubbish with you and leave no trace.

How to find the Festival

Heading to Queer Frequencies on Saturday 22 August?

Please note that West Ham have a home match nearby at London Stadium so there will be more people in the area with increased traffic expected from 2-3pm and 5-6pm. If you intend to arrive or leave during these hours, and would like to avoid the larger crowds, we recommend walking through Westfield, past Stratford International Station, round to Stratford Cross and through to Carpenters Road Land Bridge, located behind V&A East Museum. If you'd prefer to avoid the busiest periods, we recommend arriving at the festival earlier and making the most of the day.

Need a little extra support getting home?

Keep an eye out for our Park Champions in pink and Safe Only stewards, who'll be around the festival and happy to help with directions or any questions you may have. You can also call Strut Safe on 0333 335 0026 - their volunteer-operated support line can stay on the phone with you until you arrive safely at your destination.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Music is Black Festival from East Bank?

The Music is Black Festival from East Bank is an eight-month series of events including four festival weekends with live music, dance and performance.

What dates are the live weekends?

The four live festival weekends are:

  • The Music is Ours: 13-14 June
  • Power & Respect: 11-12 July
  • Queer Frequencies: 22-23 August
  • Black to the Future: 12-13 September

What time are the live weekends on?

Saturdays | Join us from 12pm–midnight

  • Live sets: 12–7pm
  • The Dance Floor is Black at Sadler’s Wells East: 12pm–midnight

Sundays | Join us from 12–6pm

  • Live sets: 12–5pm
  • The Dance Floor is Black at Sadler’s Wells East: 12–6pm

Where are the live weekends?

Head towards Sadler's Wells East to find the two outdoor stages, The Waterfront Stage and Mid Terrace, at Stratford Waterfront as well as The Dance Floor. Or use what3words: 

Which venues are events taking place at?

The Music is Black Festival from East Bank events are taking place across Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park including at V&A East Museum and Storehouse, UCL East, Sadler’s Wells East and London College of Fashion, UAL. Please check the individual event to know exactly where your chosen event is taking place.

Is everything at The Music is Black Festival from East Bank free? Will I have to pay for anything?

Entrance to all activities including at live weekends are completely free. However, there is a charge for food and drinks purchased from any retailers or cafés or restaurants around the Park.

Do I need to pre-book a ticket for any events?

You do not need a ticket to come to a live festival weekend as these are completely free and unticketed.

However, for most other events throughout the festival, you will need to pre-book a free ticket. Click the link in each event page to book a free ticket.

Is the Festival family friendly?

Yes, The Music is Black Festival from East Bank is family friendly.

Each live festival weekend has family friendly activities such as: 

How do I get to the Park?

The Park is very easy to get to with multiple train, tube and bus options available. Please see the Getting Here page for more information.

Heading to Queer Frequencies on Saturday 22 August?

Please note that West Ham have a home match nearby at London Stadium so there will be more people in the area with increased traffic expected from 2-3pm and 5-6pm. If you intend to arrive or leave during these hours, and would like to avoid the larger crowds, we recommend walking through Westfield, past Stratford International Station, round to Stratford Cross and through to Carpenters Road Land Bridge, located behind V&A East Museum. View our handy video walking guide here. If you'd prefer to avoid the busiest periods, we recommend arriving at the festival earlier and making the most of the day.

 

What should I do if I need extra support in getting home?

Keep an eye out for our Park Champions in pink and Safe Only stewards, who'll be around the festival and happy to help with directions or any questions you may have. You can also call Strut Safe on 0333 335 0026 - their volunteer-operated support line can stay on the phone with you until you arrive safely at your destination.

Where can I park for Blue Badge Parking?

There are blue badge car parking spaces at Copper Box Arena and London Aquatics Centre. Permits must be registered at reception on arrival at both these venues.

Alternatively, Westfield Stratford City has accessible parking spaces.

Is the event wheelchair friendly?

The live weekend event site is accessible for wheelchair users and has been designed to ensure level routes are provided across the whole Park. This includes The Dance Floor at Sadler’s Wells East.

For all other events, please refer to individual venue sites for confirmation on internal spaces.

What other accessibility provisions are there at the Festival?

The Park Mobility service supports visitors with a range of physical and visual access needs, with help from trained volunteer Park Champions. The service is based at the Information Point at Stratford Cross. Available services include buggies, mobility scooters, and wheelchairs. To book, contact Customer Services on 0800 0722 110.

Additionally, to support any Deaf or hard of hearing people, Mid Terrace on Sunday 14 June will be BSL Interpreted.

Where are there accessible toilets?

There are public toilets at Riverside East in the south Park and Timber Lodge in the north Park. Both have accessible toilets with Changing Places facilities with and there is an accessible toilet in the London Aquatics Centre located near the café in the reception area.

Sadler’s Wells East and V&A East Museum also have accessible toilet facilities.

For the live weekends, there will be an additional temporary accessible toilet installed behind Waterfront Stage next to Jikoni Cafe at V&A East.

Will there be toilets and baby changing facilities?

There are toilets at all venues with baby changing facilities.

For the live weekends only, there will be an additional temporary accessible toilet installed behind Waterfront Stage next to Jikoni Cafe at V&A East.

Will there be food and drinks available?

There are several local places to get refreshments during the Festival including: Tsujiri, Ginger & Mint, Draughts, Chilli Padi, Park Kitchen & Bar, Riverside East and Park Kiosks on Tessa Jowell Boulevard.

For the live weekends, there will be a small number of pop up food retailers available including: First Choice Caribbean Hut, Park Kitchen & Bar and Café Jikoni.

Can I bring food and drink to the Festival?

Yes, you are allowed to bring your own food and drink into the Festival area.

However, to ensure a safe environment for all attendees, please do not bring any glass with you.

Help keep the Park litter-free.  Please take your rubbish with you and leave no trace.

Do I need to bring anything to the event?

No, just yourselves!

Remember to check the weather forecast before you leave the house and be prepared for a range of changeable weather conditions.

Will there be somewhere to store my personal belongings?

Storage will not be possible so please bring only essential items with you and keep them with you at all times.

Who should I contact if I've lost a personal belonging?

Please contact the venue that you were visiting directly for best chance of retrieval of lost property.

For items lost during the live weekends, contact Customer Services at customerservices@queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk who will check with the security team and Park Information Point.

Will there be photography and videography happening at the event?

Official photography and videography are taking place at The Music is Black Festival from East Bank. Images and footage may be used for marketing. If you have concerns about being photographed, please let the photographer know.

Where can I find information when I'm at a Festival live music weekend?

At the live music weekends, there will be an Information Point located outside London College of Fashion, UAL. There you will find our Park Champions wearing pink who can assist with any questions you have.

Stay in touch

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