Join the UK's largest street soul party. Margate Soul Weekender(formerly Margate Soul Festival) has been bringing the best in soul and funk to the seaside since 2002 for thousands of music fans who wantgood vibes, good tunes and great views! This year we've got20+ venuesincluding a huge beachside stage for our iconic headliners and over60+ DJsfrom our incredible partners,Street Sounds, and theMargate Soul Family. The festival brings together an exciting mix of world-class artists, dynamic DJ sets, and live performances across multiple stages. With its unique blend of soul, funk, jazz, and R&B, the festival offers a memorable experience for music lovers while showcasing the charm and cultural vibrancy of thecoolest seaside town, Margate. Whether you're dancing to legendary acts as the sun sets over the sea or discovering fresh talent in one of our awesome clubs, Margate Soul Festival is the ultimate destination for a soulful weekend by the sea. Get your tickets today! 2025's HEADLINERS We have an epic line up for you this year, along with our partners Street Sounds. Our Sunday headliners -TMF Maze, formerly of Maze comprising the 5 former band members of Maze featuring Frankie Beverly The one and only -Earth, Wind & Fire by Al McKay Epic soul legends -S.O.S Band, known for their timeless hits likeJust Be Good to Me,The FinestandTake Your Time (Do It Right) 90's soul stars - Drizabone Soul Familywith their timeless hit Real Love. PLUS The Handson Family, Loose Ends and many more... Incredible sets from:Aitch B / Bobby & Steve / Dean Thatcher / DJ Destruction / DJ Swerve / Dr Bob Jones / Eddie Piller / Fraggle / Handson Family / Jo Mills / Lisa Loud / Marcia Carr / Operator / Rocky / Ronnie Coldsweat / Saxon Sound System / Street Sounds For the full line up go toMargateSoulWeekender.co.uk

British soul sensation Shaun Escoffery will perform tracks from the new album including current single ´´When The Love Is Gone”, which has recently been made Radio 2 Record of the Week as well as being on the A-List. The Radio 2 favourite (his last four singles went straight on the A-List) will also perform tracks from throughout his successful recording career which dates back to 2001 as a solo artist. Having been convinced to pursue a career in singing and acting by childhood friend Idris Elba, Shaun has embarked upon a diverse career which has included highlights such as being asked by boxer Lennox Lewis to perform the National Anthem ahead of his infamous fight with Mike Tyson in Memphis, singing ´´A House Is Not A Home” for Burt Bacharach at an all-star concert at the Royal Festival Hall which was broadcast on BBC Four, and also performing at BBC Radio 2’s Live In Hyde Park event last year.

Legendary actor, host and broadcaster Craig Charles is one of UK’s most beloved funk and soul DJs. From Robot Wars to Red Dwarf, Craig has now grounded himself as a funk & soul icon after 10 years of broadcasting on BBC 6 Music with their primetime Saturday night show.

Jalen N'gonda is one of the most captivating performers on today’s soul scene. His voice, equal parts raw feeling and elegance, exudes confidence and charm. Most recently, Jalen thrilled audiences and garnered rave reviews with his powerful solo performance in support of Thee Sacred Souls’ US tour. Now with a pair of widely revered singles under his belt at his new home, Daptone Records, Jalen prepares for the release of his debut LP, Come Around and Love Me. 

Join The Smyths as they celebrate the 40th anniversary of two iconic Smiths albums, The Smiths and Hatful of Hollow, that feature such classic tracks as “This Charming Man” “What Difference Does It Make?” “Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now” and “How Soon Is Now”.

Celebrating 30 years of K&D DJ-Kicks with a special AV show. Presented by Something Goes Right & Margate Soul Weekend This is an 18+ event

Old School Indie - The indie night for the over 30s are once again joining forces with Feeling Gloomy & Age Against The Machine to bring you a special. Feeling Gloomy & Old School Indie DJs will be playing a mix of indie classics from across the decades so whether you were an 70s punk, 80s new waver, 90s britpopper or early 00s poser they'll be something for everyone.

Straight off the back of the latest season of Taskmaster, Maisie's working up her new tour show. Some jokes might work, some might not. It will be obvious which ones are which, to you and to her, but that's part of the fun. Right? RIGHT? As seen on Live At The Apollo, A League of Their Own, and QI. Presented by Angel Comedy. This is an 18+ event

A true cornerstone of UK club culture, Gilles Peterson brings a rare 3-hour set to The Drill Shed Margate on Saturday 20 June. For over four decades, Gilles has been shaping the sound of the underground and beyond - effortlessly weaving together jazz, soul, house, broken beat, Afro, and global rhythms into something entirely his own. From his early days on pirate radio to his revered BBC Radio 6 Music show and the launch of Worldwide FM, his influence runs deep through generations of DJs, producers and music lovers alike. As the founder of Brownswood Recordings and curator behind globally respected festivals like We Out Here and Worldwide, Gilles remains at the forefront of discovering and championing new sounds. Expect a journey, not just a set - three hours of deep cuts, future classics and timeless selections from one of the most trusted selectors in the game. Presented by Something Goes Right & Drill Shed This is an 18+ event

Bank Holiday Sunday just got serious. Nightmares on Wax lands at The Drill Shed, Margate on Sunday 24 May for a rare 3-hour set - an extended afternoon journey with one of UK electronic music’s true architects. With a legacy spanning three decades, George Evelyn has continuously evolved from the sample-rich haze of Smokers Delight through to the expansive, culture-soaked energy of his latest project Echo45 - a living, breathing sound system statement that channels soul, roots, hip-hop, dub and deep electronic textures with fearless spirit. Born from Leeds’ rich sound system heritage and shaped by a lifetime of collaboration (from Yasiin Bey to Greentea Peng), this special Bank Holiday session promises warmth, depth, groove and low-end pressure in equal measure - the perfect way to stretch out a Sunday on the Margate coast. Presented by Something Goes Right & The Drill Shed This is an 18+ event

2-Tone legends The Selecter land at The Drill Shed Margate on Sat 13 June for a full live show led by iconic frontwoman Pauline Black OBE. Expect era-defining cuts like On My Radio, Three Minute Hero and Too Much Pressure, delivered with the same energy and attitude that made them essential the first time around. With original drummer Charley ‘Aitch’ Bembridge in the mix, this is the real deal. Fresh from celebrating 45 years of Too Much Pressure and a standout Glastonbury appearance, their sound still hits just as hard. Ska Shack DJs set things off with ska, rocksteady and beyond. Presented by Something Goes Right & The Drill Shed This is an 14+ event, under 18s accompanied (adult 25+)

Part of the Margate Soul Weekender’s 25-year celebrations, NYC trio Say She She bring their irresistible blend of disco, soul and psych vibes to The Drill Shed on Thu 30 July. Fronted by Nya Gazelle Brown, Sabrina Cunningham and Piya Malik, their rich three-part harmonies glide over groove-heavy rhythms - balancing euphoric dancefloor energy with a deeper, conscious edge. Off the back of acclaimed album Cut & Rewind and standout shows from Glastonbury to the Roundhouse, their live set is raw, powerful and built in the moment. Soulful, cosmic and impossible not to move to. Presented by Something Goes Right & The Drill Shed This is an 14+ event, under 18s accompanied (25+ y/o)