WHERE THE SOUND MEETS THE SEA

Celebrating its fourth edition, the festival has firmly cemented its place as a must-attend cultural experience in the Southwest – and this year, it soared to new heights.

Over four sun-soaked days, thousands of festival-goers were treated to an unforgettable fusion of world-class music, delicious street food, and community celebration. From iconic headline acts to local gems, the sound truly met the sea – and what followed was nothing short of sensational.

British soul legends Soul II Soul kicked off the festival in style on Friday 23 May, igniting the crowd with era-defining hits like Back to Life and Keep on Movin’.

Founder Jazzie B had Blackmore Gardens bouncing and beaming with nostalgia and joy, while support act Wonder 45 brought infectious grooves and fresh soul energy. Saturday delivered a powerhouse lineup including rising talents like Senna Weeks and Synthonic, the explosive Latin energy of Malavita, and the afro jazz brilliance of Nubiyan Twist. The day culminated in a heartfelt, standout set from the one and only Gabrielle, reminding everyone why she is a national treasure.

On Sunday, American jazz royalty Curtis Stigers captivated with charm, wit, and his velvety smooth vocals. The music continued to impress with fiery sets from Zayn Mohammed, The James Taylor Quartet, and Sambroso All Stars bringing Cuba to Sidmouth.

The festival closed on a high note on Monday 26 May, as legendary bluesman Eric Bibb delivered a masterclass in acoustic blues – a fitting and soulful finale. From the jazz stylings of Annika Skoogh to the Soulful genre-blending excellence of Allysha Joy and Wolfgang Valbrun, the talent was as diverse as it was dazzling. A new highlight this year was the Soul Food & Love Local Stage, nestled in Peacock Lawn and packed with tasty delights and fantastic local musical talent – a vibrant celebration of Sidmouth’s culinary and cultural spirit.

Meanwhile, free music education workshops at Sidmouth Methodist Church brought hundreds of attendees together to learn, engage, and share in the joy of music.

From budding young musicians to curious adults, the community’s appetite for learning was met with expert-led, inspiring sessions. We extend our sincere thanks you to our patrons, sponsors, advertisers the wonderful Sidmouth Town Council, our tireless volunteers, our production team and of course, the amazing artistes who graced our stages.

Fabulous free live music also took place at an array of fringe venues during the festival at:

• The Marine Sidmouth
• The Swan Inn Sidmouth
• The Radway Inn Sidmouth
• The Volunteer Inn Sidmouth
• Dukes Sidmouth
• The Elizabeth Hotel Sidmouth
• The Harbour Hotel Sidmouth
• The Chattery Sidmouth
• The Blue Ball, Sidford
• The Kings Arms, Otterton