Fabio & Grooverider and the Outlook Orchestra, Africa Express, and The Music Man Project have been confirmed as the headline acts for Southend City Festival.
Headline partners DP World, London Southend Airport and Southend-on-Sea City Council are backing the Southend City Festival a brand new music festival to take place in a hangar at London Southend Airport on 2-4 September. – which is being arranged to celebrate Southend’s new City status. That City status was conferred in memory of Sir David Amess MP, who was tragically murdered in 2021.
The festival will showcase high-profile international artists and outstanding cultural activity from the local community. Spearheading and curating the festival line-up is Southend musician Sam Duckworth who performs as Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. Sam has been instrumental in assembling the artists for the festival with help from the Leigh Folk Festival and Village Green, alongside organisers of national festivals.
Sam said: “This is a dream come true event for me, as a music fan and resident of Southend. To be part of a team working to bring some of the best artists in the world to Southend fills me with pride. Africa Express is the best show I’ve ever been to, completely unique and breathtaking, inspiring and joyous, the perfect fit. Fabio and Grooverider with an orchestra is special, your favourite drum and bass tunes reimagined with an orchestra. To me The Music Man Project are Southend’s band and no special event in this City would be right without them. ”
Ernst Schulze, Chief Executive Officer of DP World UK, said “At DP World, we focus on making a positive economic and societal impact wherever we work. This outstanding cultural celebration will boost the local community in our nation’s newest city, attracting international artists and showcasing local talent. We are delighted to be supporting it.”
Glyn Jones, Chief Executive Officer of London Southend Airport said “We are truly excited to host a festival for Southend. It will bring people together from across the area to celebrate Southend’s city status and experience music from internationally renowned artists. We are well placed to act as the venue for this event given the size of our airport hangar, our frequent trains from London, own train station within 100 paces of the airport and 1,200 car parking spaces, and have a lot of experience welcoming and coordinating the arrival of large volumes of people. We are working with some incredible, experienced partners and are delighted to be playing our part in putting our vibrant City on the festival map.”
Cllr Carole Mulroney, deputy leader and cabinet member for environment, culture and tourism at Southend-on-Sea City Council, said “I believe this is the greatest show we could hope for the city of Southend, and it would not be possible without the commercial and public sector working together to make it happen.
“This will leave a lasting legacy as we will rise to the challenge of hosting an event of this size and stature for a city. It will be a huge boost for the local economy and signifies how we want to get things done in our new City – together in partnership and for this festival – together in sound.”
Tickets go on sale from today costing £20 for Friday and Saturday and £10 for Sunday, with tickets available from the Southend City Festival website.