City Splash 2025: A Celebration of Culture, Community and Unstoppable Energy

For the fourth year in a row, we were back in Brockwell Park for City Splash – and once again, the festival proved why it’s one of the most vital celebrations of Black music and culture in the UK. The build-up alone was electric. Weeks before the gates even opened, London was already vibrating with anticipation. Whether it was the TFL advertisements takeover at Brixton station, the giant Leicester Square billboard powered by Spotify, or DJ AG’s high-energy pop-up, City Splash was everywhere, and it was impossible to ignore. The campaign delivered all the right messages to get people ready for the big day, setting a tone of unity, celebration and cultural pride.

Photography by. OLA

Following the festival’s first ever winter edition at Drumsheds last November, all eyes turned to the flagship Bank Holiday event. With expectations sky-high, City Splash didn’t just meet them—it smashed right through. What was once a grassroots celebration has become a cultural juggernaut. This year, the presence of brands like Morleys, Smirnoff, Casa Amigos, Drip Water, Johnnie Walker, Captain Morgan and BBC Radio 1Xtra proved just how powerful this event has become. These aren’t just sponsors, they’re signals of how influential the festival now is - an unmissable date in the calendar, and a marker of where Black culture and music sit in the mainstream conversation. In just four years, City Splash has grown into a festival that represents much more than just music. It’s a reflection of identity, creativity and joy.

Photography by. OLA

The performances this year were unforgettable. My personal highlight was Ms Dynamite, a true UKG legend who lit up the Rampage Sound tent. It was a full-circle moment watching an icon who helped shape the foundations of UK Black music culture receive her flowers. The crowd’s energy was unstoppable, and you could tell how much it meant to Ms Dynamite herself. Her set was a perfect blend of nostalgia and raw power - living proof that her music, message, and voice still cut through just as strongly as they ever did. Then came Spice, the undisputed Queen of Dancehall, who lived up to every expectation and more. From her arrival on a blue motorbike, matching her outfit and stage design, to the bed pulled out mid-set for a dance competition featuring three brave male audience members, she gave us not just a performance, but a fully immersive stage show. Closing her set with gospel hymns sung in a flowing gown, she brought theatre, power, and grace. It was outrageous, fearless, and completely unforgettable.

Photography by. OLA

Popcaan was the day’s headliner, and although he arrived extremely late, the crowd stuck around. When he eventually took to the stage with his live band, he delivered some of the anthems fans were waiting for. There was a slight dip in energy at first, but his presence and catalogue eventually brought the crowd to life before an abrupt end to his set. Still, City Splash 2025 didn’t rely on one name to carry the show. The lineup was stacked with heavyweight talent across every stage. From Odumodublvck’s standout moment to the genre-bending sounds of Moliy, the rising stars showed their power. Over at the Bossy LDN stage, Nia Smith delivered one of the most polished live sets of the day. Her vocals were pitch-perfect, and the rawness and clarity she brought proved she’s more than just a studio artist - she’s a future star, ready for the big leagues.

Photography by. OLA

Tarrus Riley offered a moment of generational magic at the Yaad Stage, uniting older reggae lovers with newer fans inside Brockwell Park. The likes of Valiant, Teejay, and Moliy kept that energy alive throughout the afternoon, and Odumodublvck showed why his name is buzzing across the globe right now. Over at the Pull Up Stage, Kybba made sure the fans were captivated and the crowd stayed bouncing with a high-octane set. Beyond the artists, the festival's sound system culture and impressive line up of DJ's once again played a starring role. From Rampage Sound and Saxon Sound to Heartless Crew, Dankie Sounds, Jamie Rodigan, Jada Pink and more, every corner of the park was filled with music. The Compozers turned in a flawless set, and DJ AG proved why his name belongs on every lineup this summer.

There have been attempts to shut City Splash down, to dim its energy or question its place in London’s cultural fabric. But this year was a reminder of why that can never happen. Brockwell Park was full of life and filled with pure joy. City Splash is more than just a festival - it’s a cultural heartbeat. And no matter how many try to challenge it, one thing is certain: you cannot suffocate culture. It will always rise. It will always win.