After releasing his second studio album, TYRON, earlier this year, slowthai has announced a one-day festival in his hometown of Northampton, featuring the likes of Shygirl, Pa Salieu, and IDLES.
With the tagline “no smile, no entry”, Happyland – the Happiest Place in the Universe will take place on September 25 at Northampton Cricket Ground. “Happyland with happy folk. The place where we can laugh and joke. The place you can be yourself without judgment, expectations, and impressions of someone else,” said slowthai.
“The space from the shackles of the everyday. The mountain where we climb to run away. Imagine what you’ve never had when you come to Happyland – you will never be sad,” he added.
Also performing is beabadoobee, Greentea Peng, Izzie Gibbs, and Ethan P Flynn, with slowthai headlining the event in the evening.
“Mad love to my brother slowthai for having me be a part of his debut festival Happyland, gonna bring the energies for real. Midlands stand up!” said Pa Salieu.
The festival will mark the first time slowthai will perform TYRON live. The rapper’s 2019 debut Nothing Great About Britain traversed themes of class demonisation and political failures, but speaking to Dazed last year about his second album, he said: “I’ve always said I’ll speak on things that piss me off, but I’m not in there like reading the legislations, you know what I mean? I’m not saying there’s not going to be anything political, but this album is about inspiring people to better themselves.”
Happyland will be held at Northampton Cricket Ground on Saturday September 25th. Tickets are available on May 14 at 10am here.