British jazz-funk and acid jazz collective led by Jean-Paul “Bluey” Maunick, known for long-running soul, funk and jazz fusion output. Classic New York disco and soul group associated with hits including “Native New Yorker”, “Use It Up and Wear It Out” and “Going Back to My Roots”. UK collective celebrating the Brit funk movement, featuring players connected with the country's jazz-funk, soul and boogie heritage. British DJ, producer and remixer formerly known as Joey Negro, with major influence across disco, house, boogie and soulful dance music. British DJ and production duo behind Groove Odyssey, known for soulful house, club classics and long-running UK dance music events. Saxon Sound System are one of the most influential reggae sound systems to emerge from the UK, helping shape British sound system culture from the late 1970s onwards. Renowned for their heavyweight roots, dub, dancehall and lovers rock selections. Saxon became a launchpad for legendary artists and MCs including Tippa Irie, Papa Levi and Smiley Culture. Their energetic clashes, exclusive dubplates and pioneering fast-chat style helped define a generation of UK reggae and urban music culture, earning them iconic status on the global sound system scene.
Incognito
Odyssey
Brit Funk Association
Dave Lee
Bobby & Steve
Saxon Sound System
Built by music. Carried by the people.
Built by music. Carried by the people.
Three Days. Three Nights. One Soul.
Margate Soul Weekender brings together live legends, respected DJs, selectors, dancers, families, friends and generations of soul lovers for three days and nights by the sea.
Across The Sunset Stage, The Drill Shed Live Arena, club spaces, beachside sessions and late-night gatherings, the 2026 edition celebrates the sound and spirit that has shaped the Weekender for 25 years.
See Our Line UpTickets for Margate Soul Weekender 2026.
Choose your way into the 25th anniversary celebration. Weekend passes give you the full three-day experience across live stages, club nights, DJ sessions, beachfront arenas and official venues.
Single-day tickets are available for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with VIP bolt-on options for guests who want to upgrade their weekend. Every ticket connects you to a weekend of music, culture and community by the sea.
Buy Tickets2026 LINE-UP
Thank you for another fabulous weekend with top organisation, so many happy faces, the best vibe. We should all try to be more Margate, it’s a great feeling.
Sharon Stokes
FRIDAY OPENING PARTY
SATURDAY
Grammy-nominated Brooklyn funk and disco band led by Randy Muller, best known for tight dancefloor grooves and tracks including “Movin”. Shaun Escoffery is a British soul and R&B singer with a voice built for both stage and record. His early releases Space Rider and Days Like This helped establish him as one of the standout British soul voices of the 2000s. Alongside his recording career, he has built major West End credentials, including acclaimed theatre work and a long-running role as Mufasa in The Lion King. Liverpool soul group formed in 1970, best known for UK soul and disco hits including “You to Me Are Everything” and “Can You Feel the Force”. American house and dance music vocalist, songwriter and performer, widely associated with soulful house and club anthems. British DJ, broadcaster and label founder closely associated with Acid Jazz Records, mod culture, soul, funk and rare groove. British DJ, producer and remixer known for house, disco, soulful club music and extensive remix work. Saxon Sound System are one of the most influential reggae sound systems to emerge from the UK, helping shape British sound system culture from the late 1970s onwards. Renowned for their heavyweight roots, dub, dancehall and lovers rock selections. Saxon became a launchpad for legendary artists and MCs including Tippa Irie, Papa Levi and Smiley Culture. Their energetic clashes, exclusive dubplates and pioneering fast-chat style helped define a generation of UK reggae and urban music culture, earning them iconic status on the global sound system scene. British club DJ and remixer with roots in hip-hop mixing, rare groove and house, widely known across the UK club scene.
Brass Construction
Shaun Escoffery
The Real Thing
Barbara Tucker
Eddie Piller
Seamus Haji
Saxon Sound System
C.J. Mackintosh
SUNDAY CLOSING PARTY
Italian-American post-disco, boogie and R&B group, known for polished dance productions and classics such as “A Lover’s Holiday” and “Searching”. Lead singer of Imagination, the British soul, funk and dance group behind “Just an Illusion”, “Body Talk” and other early-80s hits. British lovers rock singer best known for “Silly Games”, one of the genre’s defining UK chart successes. British singer-songwriter known as the Queen of Lovers Rock, with work spanning reggae, soul and lovers rock. British reggae and lovers rock vocalist, producer and songwriter, known for smooth UK reggae and romantic vocal performances. Aitch is a well-known and respected Club DJ, radio presenter and event organiser who has been a long-standing contributor to London's soul/club music scene. Fitzroy has built a respected reputation through decades of work with live artists, starting at London’s Jazz Cafe in 1991. Johnny Reckless is a highly respected London-based underground club DJ, radio presenter, and vinyl crate-digger with over four decades of experience in the dance music scene.
Change
Leee John of Imagination
Janet Kay
Carroll Thompson
Peter Hunnigale
Aitch B
Fitzroy
Johnny Reckless
Only came down for the Saturday, but enjoyed it more than ever, great vibe, great music.
Trevor Nelson
25 Years in the Making.
Margate Soul Weekender began with a sound system, local DJs, food, friendship and a crowd that understood the music.
From those first gatherings around Fort Hill and Carnival Corner, the Weekender grew into a town-wide celebration of soul culture.
Across 25 years, Margate has hosted live legends, respected selectors, radio crews, dancers, families, visitors and generations of music lovers.
The Weekender has grown with the town that shaped it: Margate. The sea. The streets. The people. The music.
See Our StoryMargate Is the Home of the Weekender.
Margate is central to the story. The Weekender belongs to its streets, its seafront, its venues, its harbour, its Old Town and its people. The music comes alive here because the town gives it space, energy and character.
The music brings people to Margate.
Margate gives the music its home.