Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley will headline City Splash 2027 at Brockwell Park in South London on Bank Holiday Monday, 31 May 2027, organisers announced on 25 September 2026. The first-wave bill spans reggae, dancehall, Afrobeats and soundsystem culture — with Dexta Daps, Skillibeng, Wayne Wonder, Stefflon Don, Warrior King, DJ Tunez and DJ Puffy among the named acts, plus Channel One, Saxon Sound, Rampage Sound, Heartless Crew and more selectors still to come. Tickets are at city-splash.com.

The announcement was carried by Reggaeville, Brixton Buzz and DancehallMag.

The first wave

City Splash describes itself as the home of Caribbean and African music and culture in the UK. The 2027 edition marks a landmark booking for the festival: Damian Marley brings one of reggae’s most consequential voices to Brockwell Park for what organisers frame as a defining moment in the event’s history.

Joining him on the live bill:

On the soundsystem and selector side, Channel One, Saxon Sound, Rampage Sound, Heartless Crew, Dubwise Jamaica, Dankie Sounds and Jahrevelationmuzik are confirmed, alongside DJ Ace, DJ Cass, DJ Larni, DJ Nate & English Fire, Izzy Bossy, Jada Pink, Nay Honey, Nicky Slimting, Pioneer, Supa D, Terminal 4 & Coldsteps, Rachel Anson, Ras Kwame, Seani B, Sir DJ Corey and Vybz-SR. Further artists are promised.

Heritage and context

Damian Marley is the youngest son of Bob Marley. Across more than three decades he has carried reggae into new spaces while remaining rooted in Jamaican sound — a path the Reggaeville release traces through collaborations with Nas and Jay-Z and sustained work on the world stage.

His 2005 album Welcome to Jamrock became a global reggae landmark; its title track earned enduring anthem status and, per the press materials, two Grammy Awards. That heritage sits apart from the 2027 booking itself — but it frames why a Jr. Gong headline in the heart of South London reads as a major moment for a festival built on diaspora connections.

Skillibeng returns after an electric headline set at the City Splash Drumsheds edition in 2025, organisers note. Wayne Wonder brings more than three decades of catalogue — including the global dancehall classic “No Letting Go.” Warrior King adds a roots-reggae voice known for conscious anthems such as “Virtuous Woman” and “Never Go Where Pagans Go.”

At Brockwell Park

Brixton Buzz reports the one-day festival will run across seven stages with 80+ artists and an expected crowd of around 30,000, with gates from midday to 10 p.m. at Brockwell Park, Brixton/Herne Hill (SE24). The event remains subject to licence, the local report notes.

Since its launch, City Splash has positioned itself as a celebration of how Caribbean and African culture continues to shape British music — from reggae and dancehall through grime, jungle, soca, bouyon, Afrobeats and UK funky, with soundsystem culture at the core.

Dig deeper

Sources: Reggaeville — “Damian Marley Headlines City Splash 2027” (25 Sep 2026; headline act, first-wave lineup, soundsystem cast, Welcome to Jamrock/Grammy context, Skillibeng Drumsheds 2025); Brixton Buzz — “City Splash announces its first wave of acts for the May 2027 festival in Brockwell Park” (28 Sep 2026; seven stages, 80+ artists, 30,000 crowd estimate, midday–10 p.m., licence note); DancehallMag — “City Splash 2027” (25 Sep 2026; headline confirmation, date, venue); city-splash.com (official site, tickets).