We Out Here Festival 2023 Wraps Up An Excellent Weekend Of Music

We Out Here Festival took place last weekend for their fourth edition of the festival at a brand new site in Wimborne St. Giles and what a success it was. With a full sell out crowd, an eclectic range of music and a whole number of activities, We Out Here 2023 smashed it this year.

With performances from the likes of Knucks, P Money, Nia Archives, Goldie, Wesley Joseph, and so many more, We Out Here had something for everyone. Whether you wanted something more soulful during the day, somewhere to go for a wellness session, a roller disco, you could even book out a hot tub to kill time during the day.

Thursday night was all about Nia Archives on the main stage, absolutely killing her set with a mixture of Jungle and drum and bass bangers to get the festival started in the right way. Other acts on Thursday included rapper Kofi Stone over in the Hennesy Corner and The Silhouettes Project.

Friday marked 50 years of Hip Hop, which was celebrated across the weekend, with one of the UK’s most exciting talents, Knucks, who graced the main stage and shelled his set, which included a switch up that saw Knucks rapping over that legendary Rhythm & Gash instrumental. Manchester rap duo Children of Zeus also took the spotlight on the main stage, Meshell Ndegeocello, Wu-Lu and more, with Drum & Bass legend Goldie finishing things off in style with a live set of D’n’B classics - as well as finishing things off over at the huge favourite Rhythm Corner stage all the way through until 4am.

Saturday saw a Jazz filled line up take the spotlight on the main stage, Wesley Joseph took the stage over in the Lush Life tent and absolutely killed his set, but the absolute highlight of the day - and the weekend - was Steam Down X P Money in Hennessey Corner. This set was high octane energy from start to finish. Steam Down are an incredible collective of musicians founded by Ahnansé - an incredible saxophonist. The combination of Jazz music, with P Money's ability to drop in any type of flow over any type of instrumental worked so well. The energy on stage, translated into the crowd as they did not stop from start to finish, it was carnage in that room.

Sunday saw a whole host of talent to close the weekend, Flowdan standing out in particular with his unique delivery and performing tracks including his huge collaboration with Fred Again and Skrillex, "Rumble". The Main Stage on saw Hip-Hop duo Black Star - Talib Kweli and Yasiin Bey - and Ezra Collective closing up the weekend and both sets of artists absolutely smashed their sets, sending the crowds off from the festival in the best of spirits.

Other activities that you can take part in include meditation and yoga sessions, a lake swim, a roller disco, there are open deck sessions for DJ's to take part in and talks and workshops to go and listen to and take part in during the day, We Out Here really had everything.

Founder & curator Gilles Peterson commented: "I can’t tell you how much I value this gathering of the tribes. The crowd, the crowd, the Crowd!!! That’s what it’s all about - you can’t buy that - it’s what’s been built over the years… a unique and magic mix - with a massive shout-out to a growing number coming in from all around the world. As Femi Koleoso said during the incredible Ezra Collective closing set … ‘this moment (scene) was built on previous moments’. This isn’t algorithmic, this is relationships built up through music over time, and how beautiful it is to see the youth taking it to new levels!"

Make sure you keep your eyes peeled for announcements for next year's festival and get your tickets, We Out Here is definitely a festival you need to add to your list.