Carnival? What Carnival?
Another year sans carnival, but the speakers won't be gathering dust! After months of anticipation, the City Splash is upon us.
City Splash Festival is an all-day, family-friendly festival with a lineup of some of the baddest bands, sound systems, artists and DJ's alongside wellbeing workshops, panels and live discussions. While the City Splash mission is to "celebrate the impact and importance of reggae music on British culture, birthing everything from Ska, Rocksteady, Dub, Roots, Dancehall, Lovers Rock to its UK ancestors of UK Reggae, Jungle, Hip Hop, Garage, Grime and Drum and Bass", we have to confess; we are most hyped when we hear "Rampage has a stage!". Any Notting Hill Carnival veteran can testify that you cant pass through carnival without at least a quick stop by the purveyors of rambunctious riddims and bass. I will believe it when I see it, but among others, the Rampage lineup promises Robbo Ranx, Shola Ama, and the big dutty stinkin' Heartless Crew!! How is this possible?
For the more Rootical among us, Channel One soundsystem will provide the biggest draw (no pun intended). High grade dubs (pun intended) and deep baselines will carry you when your legs no longer can "After me stand up round Channel One Sound and a bun me ganja piiiipe!........" (Unfortunately Barrington Levy won’t make City Splash this year but this dub is sure to get a few forwards!)
With over 40 acts at the festival and 4 stages, it will be tough to catch everything on offer, but we suspect that the main stage will be the most popular overall. With bonafide star acts such as Jessie Royal, Queen Dawn Penn, Lila Ike and the King of Dancehall himself Beenie Man!
The day promises to be one of the top Carnival replacements this year and to be honest; we can’t bloody wait! To get the most out of the day we suggest downloading the City Splash app:
Honestly, the app could be the difference between getting lost and missing your favourite artists or swanning around from bar to food stall like you designed the festival layout yourself. Don’t be the guy who realises its CARD PAYMENT ONLY when it’s your turn to get a round in!
SEE YOU THERE!
Uncle G.