We have put together this guide for Margate Soul Festival to help you plan and enjoy your weekend as much as possible.  Please get in touch with us if anything is inaccurate or needs updating.

Margate, known for its beautiful shores and vibrant cultural scene, is gearing up to host its premier event of the year.  The Margate Soul Festival. will take place between Friday, August 2, to Sunday, August 4, 2024, this festival is not just any event; it's an institution in soul and funk music, celebrating a diverse array of sounds and styles from across the globe.

2024 Margate Soul Festival Line-Up: A Blend of Legends and Fresh Talent

This year, Margate Soul Festival is proud to present a line-up that blends soulful legends with fresh, dynamic talent.

The roster features icons like Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes, known for their influential Philadelphia soul sounds, and Dexter Wansel, a master of soulful symphonies and jazz-funk. Joining them are Heatwave, bringing their timeless funk and soul melodies, and Izo Fitzroy, whose voice dips deeply into gospel roots with a modern twist.

The House Gospel Choir will also take the stage, offering a harmonious blend of gospel and house music that promises to lift the spirits of all in attendance.

A special treat for reggae enthusiasts will be the live reggae show starring the likes of Peter Hunnigale, Sandra Cross, and Tipper Irie, adding a Caribbean flavor to the soulful mix.

DJ Line-Up: Keeping the Beats Going

The beats don’t stop there! The festival’s DJ roster is packed with talent ready to spin the decks and keep the party alive into the night. Notables include Brandon Block, Booker T, and Derrick Patterson, alongside a suite of other top-tier spin masters like Calvin Francis, Brian Power, and many more, guaranteeing a rhythmic journey through soul, funk, and beyond.

New Venue: Sunset Stage by the Sea

2024 marks a new chapter for the festival with a move to a breathtaking new venue. The Sunset Stage will now be located at the Newgate Lower Promenade, right beneath the iconic Lido sign, a historic spot that has long served as a retreat for entertainment and leisure. This scenic venue by the beach provides the perfect backdrop for the festival, combining stunning sunsets and rhythmic waves with the melodies of soul music.

Eco-Friendly Initiatives: A Festival with a Conscience

Margate Soul Festival is committed to more than just music; it's dedicated to making a positive environmental impact. This year, the festival will employ eco-generators and low-power lighting, maintaining a partnership with leading environmental charities to ensure that the festival is as green as it is groovy.

Getting there and Easy Access and Community Support

Located just an hour and 45 minutes from London, Margate is easily accessible by train. Festival-goers can also rent bikes through Margate’s own social enterprise, The Bike Shed, promoting a car-free festival experience.

Additionally, a portion of each ticket sale will be donated to local community projects in partnership with NewMarGate CIC, underlining the festival’s commitment to supporting and sustaining the local community.

Experience More Than Music

For more information on the 2024 Margate Soul Festival or to arrange interviews, interested parties should reach out to Georgina Wilson-Powell. To get a feel for the festival’s vibrant atmosphere, visuals from past events and artist impressions of the new venue are available online.

Margate Soul Festival Dates - August 2nd to August 4th 2024

Your festival pass has been converted into a wristband for seamless access to all official event locations. The main programming and activities take place after 8 pm each evening.

Head to our centrally located Box Office to pick up your wristband.

 

 

For all wristband collections and same-day ticket purchases, visit us at:

 

 

The Lido 1 Ethelbert Terrace Margate

FRIDAY: 11 AM - 12 AM SATURDAY: 11 AM - 12 AM SUNDAY: 11 AM - 7 PM

Follow the signs directing you to the Margate Soul Festival Box Office & Wristband Collection area.

TICKETS ON THE DAY

Tickets can be purchased on the day through the official website, subject to availability.

Tickets will be accessible for purchase, pending inventory.  When arriving on-site, please follow the designated signage to locate the Box Office and Wristband Collection area.

MARGATE SOUL FESTIVAL OPENING TIMES

MARGATE SOUL FESTIVAL CLOSING TIMES

10pm Sunday 4th August 2024

All ticket purchases from the MSF website will be sent via email.

You can also download your tickets from the successful order confirmation page.

Please contact the event email contact if you do not receive your tickets in your mailbox within 24 hours of purchasing your Margate Soul Festival Tickets

WHERE IS MARGATE SOUL FESTIVAL

Margate Seafront and various venues.

Wrist banded Venues Include:

• Olbys Soul Cafe Indoors
• The Lido
• Nayland Rock Hotel
• Guest 42
• Imperial Bar Meze
• The Victoria Hotel Outdoors Patio/indoors bar area

GETTING THERE

All usual forms of transport provide access to the heart of our festival. Margate Soul Festival organisers encourage attendees to use public transport, bikes, or walking to reduce the carbon footprint of the event.

Trains to Margate are well-served by trains from London and neighboring towns.

For train ticket information and timetables over the Margate Soul Festival weekend, visit trainline.com.

Land Train:  A free land train will operate from Margate Train Station to the Lido / Newgate Lower Promenade over the festival weekend (Fri-Sun, times TBC), with several stops in the Old Town, to help attendees explore more of the area.

Bike Hire: The festival is working with The Bike Shed in Margate to offer 1-3 bike hire packages for those who wish to explore Margate and the surrounding coastline. Bike parking will be available at The Lido for the Sunset Stage.

Buses: The Loop runs between Broadstairs, Ramsgate, and Margate until just after 11 pm. Timetables and bus stop information can be found on the Stagecoach website.

Car Parking: There is no dedicated car park for Margate Soul Festival. Public paid car parks are available by the hour in various locations across Margate, payable by cash or the Ringo app.

• Margate Train Station (APCOA app not Ringo)
• Turner Contemporary car park
• Market Street car park
• Trinity Square car park
• Mill Lane car park
• Dreamland Car Park offers all-day parki

Walking:  Margate is a 1-hour walk along the Viking Coastal Path from Broadstairs or just under an hour's walk from Westgate.

WHERE TO STAY

Thanet is home to various accommodation options to suit every festival goers needs - from cozy bed & breakfasts to luxurious 4-star hotels. Due to the festival's popularity, lodging closer to the town center, where the event is based, tends to be limited or sell out quickly.

However, the nearby towns of Minster, Ramsgate, and Broadstairs provide convenient 12-20 minute access to Margate, making them excellent alternatives.

Additionally, destinations such as Canterbury, Herne Bay, and Whitstable are within a 30-40 minute drive of the festival location, providing ample choice for attendees seeking accommodations.

Whether you prefer the quaint charm of a local B&B or the amenities of a modern hotel, the Thanet area has an abundance of options to complement your Margate Soul Festival experience.

DISABLED ACCESS

There are accessible facilities, The festival site is designed to be accessible for visitors with mobility impairments, with a primarily level layout and only mild inclines in certain areas.

Each indoor venue at the festival has its own accessibility policy that attendees should review prior to arrival.

We aim to provide an inclusive experience for all festival-goers. If you have any questions or require additional assistance, please don't hesitate to contact our accessibility team, who will be happy to address your needs.

The accessible facilities onsite are reserved for festival attendees with permanent disabilities or impairments, as defined by the Equality Act 2010. Temporary conditions such as broken limbs, recent injuries, or pregnancy do not qualify for access to these specialised facilities.

Margate Soul Festival aim to provide an inclusive experience for all festival-goers. If you have any questions or require additional assistance, please don't hesitate to contact our accessibility team, who will be happy to address your needs.

FOOD & DRINK

The festival site is surrounded by many of cafes, bars, restaurants, and street food vendors, offering many dining and refreshment options. However, no outside food or beverages may be brought into the main ticketed festival grounds.

For your convenience, there will be a complimentary refillable water station located at the Sunset outdoor stage area.

 What not to bring to Margate Soul Festival

There are a number of restrictions on items to bring to the festival.

• No Dogs, except for guide dogs, 
• No chairs, blankets or gazebo's inside the ticketed area
• No food or drink permitted in the tickets area
• No professional camera (e.g the ones with detachable lens).  Without prior permission of the management within the ticketed area.  Camera phones and "domestic" cameras are ok 
• No illegal drugs - the sale and use of legal highs are also banned

CAN CHILDREN COME ALONG

Yes - Margate old town is open to all ages.  Margate Soul Festival also sells child tickets.   The festival does reserve the right to amend the age restrictions.

MARGATE SOUL FESTIVAL SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE

Sustainability at the Forefront

Margate Soul Festival is committed to minimizing our environmental impact and working in harmony with the natural beauty of our coastal setting. We are dedicated to delivering a beachside soul festival that reflects our respect for the land and sea.

Purpose-Driven Partnerships

The festival is now organised by the social enterprise NewMargate CIC, ensuring that £1 from every ticket sale goes back into community and environmental projects benefiting the Margate area. We are actively seeking charity and social enterprise partners to help maximise the long-term positive impact of the festival.

Lighthearted Footprint

Our main stage has been relocated to the Lower Newgate Promenade, just behind the iconic Lido, allowing us to work closely with local groups and sustainability experts to minimise our footprint. We will be utilizing eco-friendly generators, low-power lighting, and exploring innovative emissions-reduction measures.

Plastic-Free Initiatives

Margate Soul Festival is striving to be as plastic-free as possible this year. We are developing reusable alternatives to single-use cups and coordinating with local beach clean-up groups. Food and drink vendors have been asked to eliminate single-use plastic packaging in accordance with recent legislation.

Also consider eco-friendly and biodegradable items wherever possible.  Toast and Tonics biodegradable face glitter helps to ensure we're reducing plastic consumption for festival outfit.

Sustainable Transport

We encourage our guests to utilise public transportation or low-emission travel options to attend the festival. Please visit our Travel page for more details on sustainable transit solutions.

ARTIST BIOS

Harold Melvin's Blue Notes
As pioneers of the Philadelphia soul movement, Harold Melvin's Blue Notes have captivated audiences worldwide with their rich vocal harmonies and socially conscious themes, leaving a lasting legacy in the soul music genre.

Dexter Wansel
Philadelphia soul maestro Dexter Wansel, a key figure in the '70s and '80s, graces Margate Soul Fest. As a producer, composer, and keyboardist, Wansel's innovative contributions to the  genre are celebrated. Known for his work with The O'Jays and Patti Labelle, his musical genius remains influential.

Heatwave
Renowned for their smooth blend of funk, disco, and soul, Heatwave has left an indelible mark on the music scene with classic anthems like "Boogie Nights" and "Always and Forever", showcasing their unique sound and enduring appeal.

Izo Fitzroy
Dynamic and soulful, Izo Fitzroy brings her powerhouse vocals to Margate Soul Fest. With a fusion of blues, gospel, and soul, Fitzroy's emotive performances and poignant lyrics resonate deeply. Her authenticity and storytelling prowess make her a rising star in the soul and blues scene.

House Gospel Choir
House Gospel Choir merges the worlds of house music and gospel to create a vibrant live music experience, bringing together outstanding singers and uplifting spirits with every performance.

DJ LINE UP

BRANDON BLOCK / RICKEY MORRISON / BOOKER T / GORDON MAC / CRAIG WILLIAMS /JUNE FURLONG / JON JULES / JAMES ANTHONY / CALVIN FRANCIS / BRIAN POWER / ABIE CLARK / PETER BORG / MATT WHITE / STRETCH TAYLOR / PETE ANDREW / JANICE VEE & LORAINE ASHDOWN / MICKEY D / GAVIN PAGE / GRUMPY BROWN / TONY MATTHEWS / RONI O’BRIEN / DERRICK PATTERSON / JASPER / ROBBIE STYLES / VICKY VIBE / TOM FELTON / BILL GRIFFIN / PAUL FOSSET / ABBO / TERRY MATTHEWS / CJ

SATURDAY

STEVE COLE / MARK COLLINS / PETE COLLINS / PAUL FRENCH / SIMON
VAN OS / DAVE SMITH / PETE BOND / TERRY BROWN / TONY FERNANDEZ / FITZROY / JAH B / MATT MARTIN / GINO MUSCAT / NIGEL WATSON / MATTHEW B / STEVE JOHNS / RICHIE COX / PAUL KIDLEY / RICHIE TEE /THERESA B / KEV MULDOON / RONNIE HEREL  / DJ BIGGER / ALAN IRVINE / AADIL RASHEED / DAVID COPPER + MORE TBA

 

MARGATE SOUL FESTIVAL - PERSONAL SAFETY INFORMATION

EMERGENCY RESPONSE: The festival has over 100 security personnel, stewards, and staff on duty, all wearing identifiable uniforms. In an emergency, locate the nearest staff member who can provide assistance or direct you to the appropriate resources.

For non-emergency crimes or information, contact the police by calling 101. If a crime is actively occurring, immediately notify a staff member or police officer. If you are unable to locate assistance, call 999.

LOST CHILDREN:  If you have lost a child, immediately notify a staff member or police officer. Any lost children will be cared for by the onsite Welfare team, located in the Yellow campsite on Baker Lane.

CARBON MONOXIDE SAFETY: Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and highly toxic gas that can be fatal in minutes. Never bring a portable barbecue or lit charcoal into an enclosed space like a tent or caravan. Ensure generator exhaust fumes are properly vented away from occupied areas.

HARBOR WALL JUMPING: Jumping off the harbor wall is extremely dangerous. Staff will immediately remove and report to the police anyone attempting or caught jumping.

DRUGS AND LEGAL HIGHS: Do not bring illegal drugs or "legal"/psychoactive substances to the festival. Possession may result in ejection and police involvement. Legal highs contain toxic, untested substances that can be deadly. The use of gas canisters or nitrous oxide is banned across the entire festival site. Violators will be removed from the premises and may face further consequences.

CRIME PREVENTION: Keep all valuables, such as cash, cards, phones, and identification, securely on your person at all times. Avoid displaying these items openly.

 MARGATE SOUL FESTIVAL GUIDE CONCLUSION

The 2024 Margate Soul Festival promises to be an unforgettable experience with its spectacular new venue, top-notch line-up, and strong community and environmental initiatives. Whether you are a soul music aficionado or a casual listener, this festival is set to be a highlight of the summer in Margate and surrounding areas, offering something special for everyone.

We hope our Margate Soul Festival Guide is helpful, if you have any issues or notice anything inaccurate please do get in touch or if you are heading to Margate Soul Festival this year then be sure to send us your pictures - info@toastandtonic.co.uk

Lastly, if you are looking for that Margate Soul Festival Outfit, then check out Toast and Tonic's Margate Soul Festival Inspired collection of festival outfits at Toast and Tonic's Margate Soul Festival Inspired Festival Outfits