Margate — 24–25 May 2025
Recessland returned to Dreamland, Margate, for its much-anticipated weekend celebration—a richly curated blend of music, community, artistry, and joy. This year’s event felt like a cultural homecoming, embracing its Black British and diaspora roots while elevating emerging sounds and creatives.
Recessland is structured across three distinct zones, each offering unique energy and experiences:
Main Stage: Showcased the festival’s resident DJs alongside live performances—mixing new school with nostalgia.
Skate Hall: A high-octane area with funky dancefloors and a skate rink, where local and international DJs kept the energy high.
Markethouse: A laid-back space where attendees could browse merch, enjoy food, and catch intimate live sets and pop-up performances.
The festival featured standout performances by KOKOROKO, JuLS, Sasha Keable, shallipopi, BINA, and Awilo Longomba, spanning genres from Afroswing to soul and jazz-pop fusion.
One of the most praised sets came from Sasha Keable, who brought raw emotion and stage presence, resonating deeply with the crowd.
Beyond music, Recessland’s ethos shone through its experiential zones. The pop-up market showcased grassroots creativity—from fashion and merch collabs to community art projects. Food vendors, rides, roller rinks, and chess clubs intertwined to form a festival that didn’t just entertain—it uplifted.
Recessland isn’t just a party—it’s a declaration of cultural pride. As Jojo Sonubi (co-founder) put it, the festival came from club nights but has become something greater, rooted in Black British identity and community joy.The Face
The immersive 360° vlog footage gave viewers a “front-row” portal into the experience, capturing NSG, Shallipopi, Sarafina the Great, and more in full motion—an immersive record of the festival’s heartbeat.
Element
What Worked Well
Curation
Eclectic lineup spanning genres and generations
Atmosphere
Festive, diverse, community-centric energy
Inclusivity
Fashion, food, and creativity uplifted local creators
Cultural Legacy
A rare UK festival putting Black British culture center-stage