About SHAKE THE HIGH ROAD

SHAKE THE HIGH ROAD History

2017 - Saturday 27th May 2017
SHAKE THE HIGH ROAD originally launched in May 2017 using The Red Lion Ballroom, All You Read Is Love, and The Luna (the latter two venues have now sadly closed down). The 2017 line-up included Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Orchestra, Bullion, Raf Rundell (The 2 Bears), Snapped Ankles, Mystery Jets (DJ), and Westerman, as well as Woman’s Hour’s final ever show! The party culminated with an amazing performance from Brassroots, doing a very special brass band set of Prince classics.

2018 - Saturday 13th October 2018
SHAKE THE HIGH ROAD returned the following year with Steve Davis and Kavus Torabi, Black Peaches, Big Fish Little Fish, Psychic Markers, and Jack Cooper on the bill, plus a very special afternoon screening of the Alfred Hitchcock silent film ‘The Lodger’ brought to life with a live synth and DJ soundtrack. The Red Lion Ballroom, upstairs at The Leytonstone Social, and The Luna were the venues in 2018.

2019 - Saturday 28th September 2019
The main festival took a break in 2019 but we did host a special music and film event as part of the Leytonstone Loves film festival (in conjunction with The Barbican and record label Mexican Summer). The evening featured a screening of the music/surf documentary 'Self Discovery For Social Survival' with a special DJ performance by Peaking Lights, whose music featured in the documentary.

2020-2023
We planned to return in 2020, but, well, you remember what happened… and then a few years slipped away…. but… it finally had an eagerly awaited comeback in 2024!

2024 - Saturday 4th May 2024
In 2024 SHAKE THE HIGH ROAD was back with a bang, featuring Nathan Fake, Hayden Thorpe, GENN, Daudi Matsiko and many more on the bill. A sold-out event with 700 people witnessing unforgettable shows, hosted in the magnificent St John’s Church for the first time, plus across both floors of the wonderful Leytonstone Social and once again back at the The Luna, which sadly closed shortly after this.

2025 - Saturday 3rd May 2025
SHAKE THE HIGH ROAD returned in 2025 with the likes of Alexis Taylor from Hot Chip playing alongside Tom VR, Dog Unit, Sophie Jamieson and many more. Like the previous year, it was a sold-out event with some unforgettable shows, back again in St John’s Church and both floors of the Leytonstone Social plus we added two new spaces – the St John’s Church Hall (a smaller venue behind the main church) and the SHAKE Community Area (an outdoor food and drink/social space in front of St John's Church).