City Splash, Brockwell Park, 2023
On May 29, 2023, the iconic Brockwell Park in Brixton was transformed into a vibrant and bustling hub of music, food, and entertainment for the much-anticipated third installment of the City Splash music festival.
Despite the unpredictable weather (thankfully no rain!), spirits were high, as well over 30,000 music lovers from all over London & beyond came together to enjoy a day of unforgettable performances, tantalising cuisine, and unmatched vibes.
From the jump, the atmosphere at City Splash was buzzing with positive vibes and a sense of community was palpable from the moment festival-goers began filtering in from all corners of the park. The feeling of unity was enhanced by the diverse range of over 60 artistes spread across seven stages. From foundation reggae groups like the Twinkle Brothers to dancehall artists like Mobo Award winning Skilibeng and Grammy winner Koffee.
Festival goers were thrilled to see a sorely missed Chronixx take to the main stage (Yaad) fresh from his performances at The Royal Albert Hall. Fans were given a treat when he surprised the audience by playing a few chords on his guitar. His familiar laid back style created a mellow vibe in the latter part of the night in contrast to the high-energy and very interactive performance, of Grammy nominated Blvk H3ro earlier.
Rocking the Channel One stage with multi- genre DJ YNG CPTN, H3ro, in particular, was a crowd favourite. Not only did he give an unforgettable and electrifying live performance, but he also took the time to dance with the crowd and give his newest fans an up-close-and-personal experience.
And this is what really set City Splash apart from the rest: the sense of intimacy and connection between the artists and the crowd that many of the smaller stages facilitated.
Supported by the Dub Champion and musical living legend ‘Scientist’, Jah9 also delivered a superb and passionate performance on the Foundation stage. As the headline artiste, she mesmerised the audience with her powerful new track, ‘Open Heart’ as well as pulling out of her musical bag, favourites like ‘Avocado’ and ‘Inna the Yard’. By her side, her incredible support vocalists helped to create some of the most memorable moments of the festival that left her fans pleading for more and more.
Of course, no festival is complete without a diverse array of food options, and City Splash did not disappoint. Festival-goers were spoiled for choice with at least 45 food stalls providing everything from patties (Patty Box Co), freshly cooked jerk chicken (Jerk Village) and crowd faves Bokit’la to thirst-quenching caribbean cocktails and refreshing smoothies at the numerous drink stalls. The tantalising scent of authentic, atomatic herbs & island spices perfumed the air adding an extra layer of sensory experience that made City Splash a festival for every palate.
In between sets, there was plenty of musical vibes provided by Seani B.(Brukout), Jason Panton (Dubwise) and the outstanding, legendary Saxon Sound System and many others.
The festival was also a true celebration of the city’s diverse and inclusive community and this was evident in covered play areas for the little ones, accessibility areas for wheel chair users and deaf support on the main stage.
As the summer sun set over Brockwell Park, and the temperature dipped to single digits, the final acts took to the Yaad Stage, and the crowd danced the night away to the sounds of Chronixx bringing a close to the event.
City Splash 2023 was a true celebration of music, culture, and community, and it left a lasting impression on everyone who attended. As the festival came to a close, the message was clear – City Splash is here to stay.
Plans are already in motion for next year’s festival, and we can’t wait to see what City Splash has in store for us in 2024. Whatever the plans are, what is certain: it will be bigger, better and bashier than ever before!
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