‘I’m blowing dust out my nose’: All Points East fans left dirty and ‘coughing’ at Victoria Park

One festivalgoer was thankful their cousin gave them a mask, while another recommends anyone attending the remaining 2026 dates to bring a bandana as a face covering

All Points East festivalgoers have been left with throats ‘like sandpaper’ after Victoria Park became a dustbowl ‘like the set of Dune’ on the first weekend of the 2026 line up. The huge crowds attending on the first day, where Jorja Smith headlined, had to contend with layers of dust covering their clothes and skin as they partied with one person telling those heading to see Lorde or Deftones this weekend to make sure they ‘don’t wear white shoes’.

After many were infamously left breathless and dirty at last year’s festival, social media was quickly flooded on Friday (August 21) with people sharing their experiences this time round, including one who described the level of dust as ‘mad’. They said: “[The dust] kinda gets in your eyes too, I started sneezing and coughing throughout the day.”

Another wrote: “They weren’t lying about the amount of dust you’d end up consuming leaving All Points East. My shoes, clothes and my lungs are mash up.” They added: “My throat feeling like sandpaper too…but overall great night!”

A third wrote: “If I knew the dust was going to be that bad I would have worn a mask. All Points East was way too dirty.” This was followed by another who said: “It’s so bad, blowing dust out of my nose [right now].”

After months of temperatures regularly in the 30s in London this year, with five heatwaves, it is no surprise the ground at Victoria Park is so dry and in need of rain as thousands party on top of it. On Friday some attendees were thankful they bumped into loved ones who gave them a face covering.

One partygoer wrote: “I had so much fun at All Points East…but the dust?” They added: “Thank God i randomly saw my cousin and she gave me a mask.”

“The dust at all points east tho???? Ew,” quipped another. Someone else said they were annoyed they didn’t bring a mask. They said: “If I knew the dust was gonna be that bad I would have worn a mask. All points east was way too dirty.”

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Now in it’s ninth year, All Points East has become a staple for music lovers in London and beyond. The weather forecasts for today (Saturday, August 22) when Lorde headlines and Sunday with Deftones topping the bill are currently looking dry with sunny intervals throughout. However, next weekend (August 28 – 30) could be a washout, with rain forecast to fall on both Tyler, The Creator and Twenty One Pilots’ sets.

All Points East attendees are advised to dress appropriately to combat mud and puddles and be mindful when moving around the festival site. Festivalgoers are also encouraged to bring sunglasses, a reusable water bottle, breathable clothes, and a face covering to combat any potential dust.