For the past four royally riotous years, Land of Kings has brought its programme of nocturnal curiosities to the streets of Dalston, taking over a swathe of the area’s basement dens and cultural hubs for the annual, multi-venue showcase. Returning for a fifth edition this Bank Holiday Sunday 5th May, the festival presents a true takeover of Kingsland, cramming the usual two-night schedule into an extended day-night programme.

Kicking off alfresco style, in an enclosed outdoor/indoor site away from the bustle of the Dalston strip, the afternoon sees the festival reimagined as a village fete-come-street party. The day programme includes a pop-up live stage presented with RFB, rooftop barbecue by dubwise selectors Reggae Roast, showcases by E8’s indie tastemakers Moshi Moshi and original DIY broadcasters London Fields Radio, plus Street Feast of Kings - a convoy of the finest food trucks in the land, curated by local gastronomes Street Feast.

As night falls, the festival’s happenings spiral outwards, infiltrating the neighbourhood’s music pubs, arts venues, micro clubs and undiscovered spaces for a night conjuring everything from electronica to surf-rock via 2-step and cosmic throb. Live acts confirmed include dream-wave Warp signing Darkstar – hot off the release of their second LP, all-girl concept choir Gaggle, sharply imaginative rockers The Wave Pictures and infectious dancefloor pop outfit NYPC (formerly New Young Pony Club). They line up beside the tender folk of Sweet Baboo, alt-indie cellist Rhosyn, Gang Colours’ bittersweet introspection, the Toddla T-tipped Stevie Neale and Flako’s burbling electronica.

Elsewhere on the sprawling programme, this year taking place over 20 venues, will be: founding 20th Century Steel Band member Fimber Bravo, the sparse atmospherics of Great Waves, synth-laden lushness of Tropics, piano poptronica trio Boxed In and sun-drenched dub courtesy of new Gilles Peterson signing Troumaca. Showcasing the diversity of Hackney’s various live scenes, expect a raft of label showcases and promoter takeovers in Birthdays, Shacklewell Arms, Servant Jazz Quarters, The Vortex and Café Oto.

Bringing loft parties and basement raves to Dalston’s main drag has long been a jewel in Land of Kings’ crown. This year’s sub-street level soirees, taking place in a mix of the area’s hotspots and lesser known haunts, come courtesy of Andrew Weatherall and Sean Johnston’s low slung house project A Love From Outer Space, the ever on-point no wave disco Durrr, Jungle revivalists Wicked! Wicked!, intergalactic ravers To The Lazer Cave and Clash Music’s take on East End post-dubstep. DJs already confirmed include Friendly Fires, Hackman, Drums of Death, Rory Phillips, Faze Action and Tayo to name but a few

Ever about more than purely music, Land of Kings presents another subversive arts and interactive bill. The House of Hot Breath bring their Video Dance Party to an underground bunker, alt-indie troupe Fanfarlo rescore an experimental short film, the World’s first mobile poetry emporium – Poetry Takeaway docks in, whilst Musical Bingo brings its confetti-laden, pop quiz to the Arcola’s Big Top tent. Cinematic festival fav The Lost Picture Show takes over the Dalston Roof Park, silver-tongued wordsmiths Hammer and Tongue present their so-called “abbreviated arguments in terse verse”, aka The Haiku Debating society, and illustrator-to-the-stars (and tramps) Mr Bingo invites revellers to a very, very late night drawing class with a twist.

....PLUS MORE TBA SOON.

Land of Kings Sunday 5th May 2013 14:00 til late Various venues, Dalston, London Ticketing info an more info about the festival HERE £15 early birds. Over 18s only.