CITY SPLASH 2025 RECAP: As a Brixton native, City Splash will always hold a special place in my heart. It’s more than just a music festival. It’s a full-circle moment. A reunion. An experience that pours with the roots I grew up on and the energy of a community that continues to inspire.
This year, I had the incredible opportunity to attend with press access, which meant rubbing shoulders with fellow media outlets, influencers, and some of the iconic artists lighting up the lineup. With access to behind-the-scenes conversations, the buzz across the press area was consistent: City Splash is unmatched in its authenticity.
I made it a point to ask festival-goers one question throughout the day, “What makes City Splash different from any other festival?” The response? “The sense of culture and community.” And honestly, they couldn’t have said it better. From the moment I stepped into Brockwell Park, it felt like stepping into a shared heartbeat — a place where the vibes were loud, the joy was real, and the music felt like home, celebrating my Jamaican and Guyanese roots. Not to mention, the DJs who kept the pulse of the festival alive between live sets, bringing us high energy and timeless selections!
This year’s lineup was stacked. We saw Caribbean royalty – the Queen of Dancehall – Spice, shutting it down with an entertaining, and eventful set to say the least. She gave her ‘besties’ exactly what they wanted, leaving the crowd wining and waving their flags high. Tarrus Riley brought smooth vocals and roots reggae that grounded the entire day.
Valiant kept the Dancehall energy alive, and artists like Sasha Keable, Kybba, and Nia Smith — also a Brixton native – delivered strong performances, blending Soul, R&B, and Reggae influences. Over on the legendary Rampage stage, the one and only Ms. Dynamite transported us straight back to the early 2000s. When she dropped classics like ‘Dy-Na-Mi-Tee’ and ‘Booo!’, the energy surged. Some serious Y2K nostalgia had us all in a collective throwback moment.
Let’s not forget the food. City Splash brought flavours for days. From jerk chicken wraps to ital stews, the options were endless. But one thing we couldn’t miss was hydration, and the Drip Truck – sponsored by one of City Splash’s hydration partners – made sure of that. And in true South London fashion, Morley’s showed up and showed out in the press area. Because what’s a proper day out in Brixton without a fillet burger and fries, four wings (flat ones), and a pot of Morley’s fried chicken sauce?
One of the standout elements of City Splash that stood out to me was the live instrumentation, brought to life by none other than The Compozers. Their ability to amplify every performance with rich, live arrangements gave the festival an elevated, immersive feel that truly set the tone throughout the day. Whether backing artists or keeping the crowd energised between sets, their presence added an extra layer of soul and musicality that didn’t go unnoticed.
Closing the night was dancehall heavyweight Popcaan, one of the most anticipated acts of the entire festival. The crowd was more than ready for his energy, and he delivered hit after hit when he made his appearance. From ‘Ova Dweet’, ‘Clarks’, ‘Ravin’, ‘Clean’, ‘Everything Nice’ and ‘Party Shot’ plus more. It was a reminder of just how deep his catalogue runs.
Unfortunately, due to his late arrival, the set was cut short, which left fans a bit gutted — myself included. We were still holding onto the vibe, hoping for a few more tracks before the night wrapped. Trust me, we weren’t ready to leave yet!
But even with the abrupt ending, City Splash did what it always does. It reminded us of the power of music, culture, and community — coming together as friends, family, and peers in the industry. The festival created a space where Caribbean heritage was celebrated loud and proud, with every rhythm, every bite, and every embrace echoing the roots of where we come from. As a South Londoner, this one felt personal. A beautiful, bass-filled reflection of us.
Until next year, City Splash!
Photos by Haruki Design, Khali Photography, Nick Haill, Garry Jones, Twiggles and Zak Speers
Words by Nickeeba Archer
More from City Splash.
