STREET SOUNDS x MARGATE SOUL WEEKENDER 2026

STREET SOUNDS x MARGATE SOUL WEEKENDER 2026

Last few Early Bird Tickets On Sale Now, General Release 31st October

GET TICKETS: https://tinyurl.com/4ejhse57

25 Years of Soul: From Resistance to Resonance

‘Before the music, there was a reason’ - video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oi2JdzlSX64

Street Sounds proudly continues its partnership with Margate Soul Weekender as the iconic seaside celebration of Black music and culture with an emphasis in 2026 on Black British Music to mark its 25th anniversary in 2026.

Before the music there was reason...25 years later, we’re still standing, louder, prouder, and by the sea.

This isn’t just music; this is a story that started with struggle and turned into soul. From resistance to resonance, this is our sound, our people, our coast.

Phase 1 of our 25th Anniversary lineup is here: The Sound of Soul Britannia

Incognito. Sean Escoffery. The Real Thing. Brit Funk Association. The artists who built the foundation, the ones who made Britain move.

Next summer, they return to where the rhythm lives:

The Sunset Stage and The Drill Shed – Margate’s New Home of Soul.

And this is just the start.

Four chapters...Four waves...Four Weeks!

Each one revealing another piece of the story.

Stay close.

Look for the next drop.

Margate Beach & Lido // Drill Shed // Olby's Soul Cafe

Join the 25-year celebration, From Resistance to Resonance.

“Street Sounds is the perfect partner to stand with us at this juncture,” adds Thompson. “We both come from the same DNA innovation, independence and authenticity. Together, we’ll amplify the story of how soul culture in Britain went from resistance to resonance.”

From Friday 31 July to Sunday 2 August 2026, Margate’s seafront will host three days of live performances, DJ sessions, and community celebration, honouring the evolution of a movement that began as an act of resilience and has grown into a national symbol of joy and unity.

Founded in the early 2000s by Eli Thompson and his family, Margate Soul Weekender began as a grassroots gathering born from exclusion, resistance and love for music. Twenty-five years later, its spirit continues to resonate across generations.

“We didn’t wait for permission, we built joy,” says Thompson. “This anniversary is about everyone who kept the faith, the artists, DJs and dancers who turned resistance into rhythm.”

For 2026, Street Sounds deepens its creative and media partnership with Margate Soul Weekender, curating exclusive DJ programming, live content, and storytelling that connects audiences worldwide to the heart of UK soul culture.

“Street Sounds and Margate Soul Weekender share the same DNA independence, authenticity and innovation,” says Morgan Khan, founder of Street Sounds. “We are proud and honoured to be partnering with Eli and the Margate Soul Weekender again in 2026. Together, we’re bridging the generations and amplifying the story of British soul culture from resistance to resonance.”