City Splash has unveiled a massive second wave of artists for its 2026 edition, with dancehall heavyweights Aidonia and Elephant Man leading the new additions. The festival returns to Brockwell Park, London on 25 May 2026, cementing its position as the world’s largest one-day Caribbean and African music festival.
Known as the voice of modern dancehall, Aidonia will celebrate two decades of hits at the festival. The Jamaican superstar has built his reputation on explosive tracks including “Yeah Yeah”, “Bruck It”, “Fire Ball” and “Pretty Please”, establishing himself as one of the island’s most electrifying performers. His return to London promises to be a career-defining moment for fans of the genre.
Joining him is Elephant Man, the self-proclaimed Energy God who emerged from Kingston’s Seaview Gardens to become a global dancehall icon. After cutting his teeth with Scare Dem Crew at Jamaican festivals, Elephant Man launched a solo career that blended dancehall with hip-hop, leading to high-profile collaborations with Busta Rhymes and Mariah Carey. His breakthrough album Log On helped establish him as one of the genre’s most innovative voices.
The second wave also includes lover’s rock royalty Janet Kay and Carroll Thompson, bringing a classic sound to complement the festival’s contemporary lineup. Luton rapper BXKS joins the bill alongside Ciel, who fuses rap and dancehall, British artist Donae’o, R&B performer Eric IV, and soca musician V’Ghn.
The DJ lineup expands with UK duo DJ Nate & English Fire, selectors Movie Star Johnny & Andrew Fresh, and legendary tastemaker Bryan Gee. Brixton reggae band Abacush will perform alongside Smirnoff Back to the Beach winner Kryptic, while Daddy Chulo (official DJ of Kalash Criminel) and world-class selector DJ Mexy round out the roster.
Additional acts include reggae artists Empress Ayeola and Jamaican performer Unstoppable Fyah, founder of ‘Girls Can’t DJ’ Jordss, soulful singer Sherii Ven Dyer, London-based artist Sinister Escapone, Nubian Idol, influential soundsystem Sovereign Syndicate, and numerous other performers spanning Caribbean and African music traditions.
They join previously announced headliner Beres Hammond and a stacked line-up featuring Gyptian, Jada Kingdom, Queen Ifrica, The Congos, Lutan Fyah, Jeleel!, Juls, Lisa Maffia, Romeo & Dandaman from So Solid Crew, and renowned soundsystems including Channel One, Heartless Crew, Saxon Sound, and Rampage Sound.
City Splash has built its reputation on celebrating the impact of Caribbean and African culture in the UK and beyond, creating a space for communities to honour pioneering sounds that shaped generations. As the biggest independent one-day festival in London, it transforms Brockwell Park into an unmissable cultural celebration each year.
Tickets for City Splash 2026 are available here.
City Splash 2026 line-up so far
- Beres Hammond
- Aidonia
- Elephant Man
- Gyptian
- Jada Kingdom
- Queen Ifrica
- The Congos
- Lutan Fyah
- Jeleel!
- Juls
- Janet Kay & Carroll Thompson
- BXKS
- Ciel
- Cristale
- Donae’o
- Eric IV
- V’ghn
- Wohdee
- Lisa Maffia, Romeo & Dandaman (So Solid Crew)
- Bryan Gee
- Channel One
- Dankie Sounds
- DJ Ace
- DJ Larni
- DJ Nate & English Fire
- Heartless Crew
- Izzy Bossy
- King Original ft Footsie x Sir Spyro x Jah Model x Ras D
- Loyal Squad
- Movie Star Johnny & Andrew Fresh
- Nicky Slimting
- Pioneer
- Supa D, Coldsteps & Terminal 4
- Pure Vibes Ent
- Rampage Sound
- Ras Kwame
- Robbo Ranx
- Saxon Sound
- Seani B
- Sir DJ Corey
- Abakush Band
- Blacker Dread
- Bobo Blackstar
- Daddy Child
- DJ Mexy
- Empress Ayeola
- Jada Pink
- Jah Youth Roots Ambassador
- Jordss
- Kryptic
- Nubian Idol
- Jahrevelationmuzik Sound
- Sherii Ven Deyer
- Sinister Eskapone
- Sisters In Dub
- Sovereign Syndicate
- Triple M
- Unstoppable Fyah
- Vybz-SR
Image credits:
Garry Jones Photography
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