London’s queer collectives are taking over Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park this August. Queer Frequencies – the third weekend of The Music is Black Festival from East Bank – runs on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August 2026, and it is completely free to attend.
Curated by DJ Shy One, Mark-Ashley Dupe, Donnie Sunshine and Joel Mignott, the weekend brings together DJ sets, live music and club nights across two outdoor stages and the inside of Sadler’s Wells East. It is a proper east London event – community-rooted, genre-spanning, and open to everyone.
If you are heading to Queer Frequencies, Draughts is right there with you. We are a board game cafe and bar at 5 Aquatics Walk, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park – about a 5-minute walk from the festival stages. Over 1,000 games, great food, cold drinks, and a space to recharge between sets.
What is The Music is Black Festival from East Bank?
The Music is Black Festival from East Bank is a free, eight-month celebration of Black British music and culture, running across Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park from spring to winter 2026. It spans four live festival weekends, film screenings, exhibitions and more.
The four live weekends are:
- The Music is Ours – 13-14 June 2026
- Power & Respect – 11-12 July 2026
- Queer Frequencies – 22-23 August 2026
- Black to the Future – 12-13 September 2026
All four weekends are free and unticketed. No need to register – just turn up.
What to expect at Queer Frequencies
Queer Frequencies is a takeover by London’s queer collectives, redefining music, culture and community. The weekend centres on two outdoor stages at Stratford Waterfront – The Waterfront Stage and Mid Terrace – plus The Dance Floor is Black at Sadler’s Wells East.
Saturday 22 August
Saturday runs from 12pm to midnight.
The Waterfront Stage is curated by Shy One from 2-7pm. Shy One started DJing on pirate radio as a teenager and has spent years building safe spaces for London’s queer community through club nights. She brings that same energy to the outdoor stage, with a lineup including SisterMatic, Private Joy, Lil C, Seb Odyssey and Fiyahdred.
Mid Terrace on Saturday is curated by Donnie Sunshine, an east London-born multi-disciplinary artist known for forgotten cult classics and high-energy sets. The lineup includes Alizé, DJ Biggy C, DRYBABE, EWA, Mark Ashley Dupe, Talia.A Darling, Donnie Sunshine himself, and many more.
Saturday night closes at Sadler’s Wells East with The Dance Floor is Black: Together We Felt The Bass, a club night curated by Zinzi Minott – the first artist trained in dance to be artist in residence at both the Serpentine Gallery and TATE. Running from 7pm to late, it blends music, dance, poetry and sound art inspired by queer nightlife.
Sunday 23 August
Sunday runs from 12pm to 6pm.
The Waterfront Stage on Sunday is curated by Mark-Ashley Dupe, who brings his genre-mixing sound spanning Pop, House, R&B, Ballroom, Afrobeats, Dancehall and Brazilian Funk. Expect Jungle Kitty, POPOLA, Ivicore, Allexus Saint, Carter The Bandit, and more – hosted by MISS Jason.
Mid Terrace on Sunday is curated by Joel Mignott, who was the first DJ to play the main stage at London Pride in 2024. His lineup – including Natalie Sandi, Shaun Ross and Raven Mandella, hosted by DARKWAH – reflects the energy, style and freedom of contemporary Black queer dancefloor culture.
Sunday sessions at Sadler’s Wells East feature Fagamuffin Bloc Party, a queer carnival collective running a full-day pre-carnival party with DJs, MCs and dancers from 12-6pm.
The V&A East exhibition connection
Festival-goers can get 15% off tickets to The Music is Black: A British Story at V&A East Museum by using code TMIBFUN15 at checkout. The exhibition explores how Black British musicians shaped British culture across decades – a great add-on before or after the live weekend. Use the code by 30 September 2026.
Draughts Stratford – a 5-minute walk from the festival
Draughts is a board game cafe, bar and restaurant inside Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. We are at 5 Aquatics Walk, E20 2AS – a short, easy walk from the festival stages at Stratford Waterfront and Sadler’s Wells East.
We have over 1,000 games covering everything from quick 20-minute games to epic multi-hour campaigns. Our team can help you find the right game for your group – whether you want something competitive, collaborative, silly or strategic.
It is a brilliant spot to settle into before Queer Frequencies gets going, take a break between stages mid-afternoon, or wind down after the club night. Food and drinks are served all day.
A game to try: Wavelength
Queer Frequencies is all about reading the room and finding your people. Wavelength is a social party game that captures exactly that energy.
One player holds a secret dial showing where a concept falls on a spectrum – from Hot to Cold, Loud to Quiet, Mainstream to Underground. They give a one-word clue and their team has to guess where on the dial the hidden concept sits. It sounds simple. It gets very funny very quickly.
Wavelength works brilliantly with groups who already know each other and groups who are just getting to know each other. It is fast, inclusive, and generates a lot of good conversation. Perfect festival company.
Frequently asked questions
When is Queer Frequencies?
Queer Frequencies takes place on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August 2026 at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford.
What time does Queer Frequencies start and finish?
On Saturday 22 August, the festival runs from 12pm to midnight (live sets 12-7pm; The Dance Floor is Black at Sadler’s Wells East from 7pm to late). On Sunday 23 August, the festival runs from 12pm to 6pm (live sets 12-5pm; Sadler’s Wells East 12-6pm).
Is Queer Frequencies free?
Yes, Queer Frequencies is completely free and unticketed. No booking required – just turn up.
Where exactly is Queer Frequencies?
The outdoor stages – The Waterfront Stage and Mid Terrace – are at Stratford Waterfront, near Sadler’s Wells East, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Head towards Sadler’s Wells East when you arrive at the park. The Waterfront Stage what3words: drives.active.snap. Mid Terrace: junior.origin.intervals.
Who is curating Queer Frequencies?
The weekend is curated by DJ Shy One (Waterfront Stage, Saturday), Donnie Sunshine (Mid Terrace, Saturday), Mark-Ashley Dupe (Waterfront Stage, Sunday), Joel Mignott (Mid Terrace, Sunday), and Zinzi Minott (The Dance Floor is Black at Sadler’s Wells East, Saturday night).
What is The Dance Floor is Black?
The Dance Floor is Black is a programme of dance events running at Sadler’s Wells East throughout the festival. At Queer Frequencies, it includes a family session on Saturday afternoon and a club night curated by Zinzi Minott from 7pm on Saturday, plus a Sunday session with Fagamuffin Bloc Party.
Is the festival family friendly?
Yes. Each festival weekend includes family-friendly sessions at Sadler’s Wells East from 12-3pm on Saturday. The outdoor stages are also open to all ages during daytime hours.
Can I bring food and drink?
You are welcome to bring your own food and drink to the festival site. Please do not bring glass. Food and drink vendors including Draughts, Ginger & Mint, Tsujiri, Chilli Padi, Park Kitchen & Bar and Riverside East are all available nearby throughout the weekend.
How do I get to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park?
Stratford station is the main hub – served by the London Overground, Elizabeth line, DLR, Jubilee line and national rail. The park is a short walk from Stratford station. Stratford International is also nearby. Buses serve the area well from across east London.
Is the event wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The festival site has been designed with level routes across the whole park, including at The Dance Floor at Sadler’s Wells East. The Park Mobility service at Stratford Cross Information Point offers buggies, mobility scooters and wheelchairs. Call 0800 0722 110 to book.
Where is Draughts in relation to the festival?
Draughts is at 5 Aquatics Walk, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, E20 2AS – about a 5-minute walk from the festival stages at Stratford Waterfront. We are inside the same park, so there is no need to leave QEOP at all. We are open all day and welcome walk-ins.
What other events are part of The Music is Black Festival?
The four live festival weekends are The Music is Ours (13-14 June), Power & Respect (11-12 July), Queer Frequencies (22-23 August) and Black to the Future (12-13 September). There are also film screenings and an exhibition at V&A East Museum throughout the season.
