Stormzy headlined This Is What We Mean day at the Finsbury Park festival, finding himself performing during a torential downpour that gave the set a “bibilical” atmosphere, according to fans.

the heavens opening as Stormzy performed ‘blinded by your grace’ was nothing short of biblical!! a life affirming moment #ThisIsWhatWeMeanDay @allpointseastuk pic.twitter.com/irchRp3Y9x

— Ben Johns (@ben_johns) August 19, 2023

When announcing his plans for This Is What We Mean day, Stormzy said, “I was thinking what’s next cos we’ve done 3 O2s shut that down. I said to the team we gotta do something bigger something better something different. We were having back to back meetings bouncing ideas. Then it hit me I started jotting down ideas thinking – live band need a live band. August 2023 a summer time thing outside for the people always for my people. So August 2023 Victoria Park more info coming soon…. This Is What We Mean Day. Hard.”

During his set, Stormzy performed fan favourites including “Crown,” “Vossi Bop” and “Firebabe,” however the standout moment for the crowd seemed to almost unanimously be his rain-soaked performance of his Gang Signs & Prayer album track, “Blinded By Your Grace Pt. 2.”

One fan wrote it was “one way to feel alive.” 

Honestly, this video does it no justice: But it absolutely pooooouring with rain the second @stormzy played Blinded By Your Grace – with 50,000 people singing along – was absolutely magical One way to feel alive. pic.twitter.com/BrSMxWe7Ud — Sean Spooner (@spoonersean) August 18, 2023

Stormzy addressed the crowd during his performance, expressing his love and gratitude for his fans, saying “Thank you so much for supporting me, thank you so much for considering me, thank you so much for just being in my life. I love you, I love you, I love you.”

He took to Twitter himself, summing up his All Points East experience by simply writing, “Wow.”  

Wow… #ThisIsWhatWeMeanDay — Stormzy (@stormzy) August 19, 2023

Stormzy was joined onstage by Debbie, who performed a number of tracks alongside Stormzy from his newest album (whose title inspired the theme name of the festival), This Is What I Mean. There was also an outpouring of love for Debbie’s guest appearance, with one fan writing, “Don’t think I’ll ever see a show to top that.”

Stormzy. This is what we mean day. Absolutely incredible performance. The rain felt like it was orchestrated especially for the show. Sampha, Lucky Daye and Debbie were . Don’t think I’ll ever see a show to top that.

— Rachael Buck (@Rachaelgough91) August 19, 2023

Rain pouring down while @stormzy and Debbie sang ‘Give it to the water’ honestly just closed my eyes and gave every worry to God, what an indescribable spiritual moment

— Babz (@babztweets) August 19, 2023

Stormzy released his newest single earlier this month, titled “Angel In The Marble.” Watch the music video below.

Read more about All Points East here.

The band took to Twitter and Instagram to make the announcement, miming to Fergie’s “London Bridge” to show their excitement to be performing at this iconic East London festival.

Onsale now! @HAIMtheband make their Luno presents All Points East debut on Bank Holiday Monday 28 August, for a European exclusive performance. With @_girlinred_, @confidencemanTM, @LizzyMcAlpine and many more, plus further artists to be announced.
https://t.co/ePb44YLNZq pic.twitter.com/4gEISqidhR

— All Points East (@allpointseastuk) March 10, 2023

The festival is based in Victoria Park, London and is taking place on Bank Holiday Monday, falling on 28th August. Tickets are available to purchase here.

Joining Haim on the line-up are Girl in Red, Tove Lo, Confidence Man and Lizzy McAlpine amongst many others. Many more are due to be announced, guaranteeing it to be the perfect way to spend your Bank Holiday Monday.

We’re so excited to announce the unstoppable @HAIMtheband are heading to Victoria Park on Bank Holiday Monday 28 August for a European exclusive performance, with Girl In Red, Confidence Man, Lizzy McAlpine and many more! Tickets go on general sale Friday 10 March at 10am. pic.twitter.com/RWhoqjg9Op — All Points East (@allpointseastuk) March 7, 2023

 The festival is held over two weekends and is a must for alternative music fans.

Having recently toured the UK, Haim will take a break from their travels this year, with this being the only European show for the sisters in 2023.

They recently made waves by bringing Taylor Swift on stage at The O2 to perform their hit song “Gasoline” as well as Swift’s “Love Story”.  

Haim are set to join an already star-studded line-up for All Points East, joining Angel Olsen, Amyl and the Sniffers and The Strokes.

The festival will also include a day of music curated by Stormzy called the “This is What We Mean Day”, with Stormzy headlining this day himself. Stormzy is teaming up with APE to put together a UK exclusive show back in his hometown.  

.@stormzy will be heading to Victoria Park for a massive hometown show on Friday 18 August 2023, as part of Luno presents All Points East. pic.twitter.com/zpi9E7hcFe

— All Points East (@allpointseastuk) November 9, 2022

Sharing the news prior to deleting his social media accounts, Stormzy said “I was thinking what’s next cos we’ve done 3 O2s shut that down. I said to the team we gotta do something bigger something better something different. We were having back to back meetings bouncing ideas.”

He continued, “Then it hit me I started jotting down ideas thinking – live band need a live band. August 2023 a summer time thing outside for the people always for my people. So August 2023 Victoria Park more info coming soon…. This Is What We Mean Day. Hard.”

More information on All Points East can be found here with tickets on sale now.