Why London's City Splash Belongs on Every Festival Fan's Radar

As a second-generation Caribbean living in the U.K., music, culture and community have always been part of my story. My dad was a sound system man. He lived and breathed community radio before eventually owning his own sound system, radio station, Vibes FM, and promoting shows, parties, or "shubbings" as they were known throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. Music wasn't something that happened around me. It was woven into everyday life.

Music, food and culture are the foundations of who I am. Over the last decade, I have travelled extensively, attending festivals across the world and immersing myself in different sounds, cuisines and cultural experiences. 

When I talk about festivals, I don't mean just any festival. I'm talking about the kind where fashion, food and music sit at the centre of everything. The kind where preparation begins months in advance. The hair appointment is booked. The outfit is planned with military precision. We all know the ritual of trying on multiple looks before settling on the one. Because for festivals like these, showing up is only part of the experience. The culture begins before you step through the gates. And nowhere captures that feeling quite like City Splash.

Held on May 25 in the heart of South London's Brockwell Park, City Splash feels less like a festival and more like a homecoming. That's largely because South London has been shaped by Caribbean and African communities, many of whom trace their roots back to the Windrush generation. Their influence can be seen everywhere, from the music and fashion to the food, entrepreneurship and cultural institutions that continue to define the area today. City Splash exists within that legacy.

Not a cloud in sight. The heat was unrelenting, but it wasn't stopping anybody. My hair was done, outfit pressed, trainers on, body shimmer applied and festival mode activated.

Last year's lineup already felt impossible to top, but City Splash somehow raised the bar again. This year's biggest statement came in the form of Beres Hammond's exclusive U.K. festival appearance. The legendary Jamaican singer had not performed in the U.K. for over eight years. Bringing "Uncle Beres" to South London wasn't simply booking a headline act, it was a cultural moment. And that's what City Splash understands better than most festivals.

City Splash isn’t just about securing artists. It's about bringing together multiple generations of Caribbean culture in one space. Parents, grandparents, longtime sound system veterans, young dancehall fans, Afrobeats lovers and first-time festival-goers all occupy the same field.

I started my day at the Rampage stage, where V'ghn had the crowd moving from the first song. With nine stages spread across Brockwell Park, it was impossible to stand still for long. Every corner of the festival offered something different, whether it was reggae, dancehall, Afrobeats or sound system culture. 

But as the afternoon wore on, all roads eventually led to the main stage.

Elephant Man reminded everyone why he's earned the nickname "Energy God," delivering a set packed with choreography and crowd participation. One of the most impressive aspects of the performance, however, had nothing to do with the music. British Sign Language interpreters remained on stage throughout, reinforcing City Splash's commitment to making the festival accessible to everyone.

Then came the moment many had been waiting for: Beres Hammond. 

When Beres Hammond finally took to the stage, it felt like a moment generations had been waiting for. The crowd stretched as far as the eye could see, with barely room to move. Strangers sang to one another, couples danced, and friends embraced as classic after classic filled Brockwell Park. His music carried a sense of nostalgia, transporting people back to different chapters of their lives while creating new memories in real time.

More Than a Festival: Building a Cultural Institution

After another sold-out year, I caught up with co-founder Ben Ryan to talk about how City Splash has evolved beyond a music festival.

For Ryan, City Splash has grown into something much bigger than a festival, and the event’s success is measured by more than ticket sales.

"I think it's extremely important that Caribbean communities in London have a safe space where we can authentically showcase our culture and music,” he explained. “Over the last couple of decades, we've seen a reduction in large-scale Caribbean events, so as founder and managing director, I feel a responsibility to grow and maintain the festival's success, ensuring there is always a space where our communities can come together and celebrate."

South London rapper Crystale, who made her City Splash debut this year, described the experience as "heartwarming."

"It was an amazing experience, both as a performer and as a music lover,” she said. “To see the community come together to appreciate so many incredible artists was really heartwarming. I'd definitely love to go again."

One of the most vibrant areas of the festival was Izzy Bossy's stage, a space dedicated to amplifying female talent and emerging voices within the culture.

When asked to describe City Splash in just a few words, her answer was immediate: "The Home of Culture. Iconic. Important. Home."

The importance of City Splash was echoed by Grammy Award-winning producer, DJ and BBC 1Xtra presenter Seani B, who has performed around the world but still considers City Splash something entirely unique.

"It's hard to describe,” he said. “One part feels like a mini carnival, another part feels like a massive block party. But for me, it's really a celebration of Black British uniqueness."

Seani B pointed to the diversity of sounds and communities represented across the festival.

"You have reggae and dancehall on the main stage, then you have Rampage doing what they do, Izzy Bossy celebrating younger audiences, Afrobeats artists, soca, sound system culture — everything exists in the same space,” he continued.

For someone who has DJ'd across continents, the festival's significance remains deeply personal.

"City Splash feels like a homecoming. The people who put me on stage are in the crowd — my brothers, my cousins, people I've grown up around. They're not there for me to impress them; they're there for me to deliver. City Splash is one of a kind."