Margate Soul Festival
This weekend sees “Kents signature Soul Music Festival and the biggest event to hit Margate since Dreamland”, the Margate Soul Festival, also known as Margate Soul Weekend – now in its tenth year.
Our neighbouring town comes to soulful life with dancing in the streets and bars and on the beach. The event takes place in and around the picturesque Margate harbour and on the promenade by the beach. Sound systems from the various old town bars, featuring different DJs from all over the country, will be pumping out tunes for all to enjoy. And the weather forecast is fine!
The Soul Weekend takes place annually on the first weekend in August. Margate is very close to Broadstairs where our holiday lets are based. Getting from our properties to the heart of the action takes hardly any time at all (ten to fifteen minutes by car). Central Margate gets fully booked for this event each year and the organisers recommend visitors book accommodation in either Broadstairs or Ramsgate where you will be just a short taxi ride from the festival area.
Spread across the increasingly fashionable Margate Old Town, the different participating venues cater for a wide range of musical tastes, each with their own special atmosphere, creating what organisers can justifyably claim is the best Soul inspired festival in the country.
The outside stages are a joy when the sun shines.
Tickets are still available and are priced from £27.50 – £66 according to how much of the Festival you want to access. Get tickets here
There are also plenty of free to access events including three FREE outdoor stages playing music from 12-6pm on Saturday and Sunday at: The Piazza on the seafront –The Zero Radio Stage; Market Place in the heart of the old town – Mi-Soul and Revenge of the Soulboy Stage; and up on Fort Hill heading towards Cliftonville above the Turner Contemporary– The Original Carnival Soul Sounds Stage.
The ticketed outdoor stage, The Sunset – which appeared first in 2016 – will be bigger, better and open later for 2017. This year it is sponsored by Redstripe lager and is now monickered the ‘Redstripe Sunset Stage’, it is located on Fort Lower Promenade at the rear of The Winter Gardens, overlooking the sea, with breathtaking sunsets, head there for an amazing balearic atmosphere. Hosted by Mi-Soul from 3pm on Saturday & Sunday, with live performances and DJ’s all day.
Indoor venues go from large to intimate in scale:
The Winter Gardens, Main Hall is steeped in history and one of the most impressive music venues in the country. The headlining live and DJ performances on Saturday night will happen here. In addition, also on Saturday night, HOUSE DJ’s will party until 4am in The Queens Hall.
Olby’s Soul Cafe – Is always a focal point of the festival (previously known as the Westcoast bar), located in the Old Town, this is where it all began, with three rooms of music across the whole weekend. The Mi-Soul Friday night opening and Sunday night closing parties will take place here, as will a ‘Zero Night Out’ takeover on Saturday night..
The Lighthouse Bar – Out on the Harbour Arm, just a short stroll from Olby’s with spectacular views across the bay back to Margate plays host to Stomp & Soulpower who will be playing ‘The Other Stuff’.
Imperial Lounge – Is a contemporary bar Overlooking both the beach and Piazza. Caister, will play here each evening with MSF residents as the support act .
The Crescent Victoria Hotel has a boutique bar & garden situated directly opposite the Winter Gardens which are ideal for pre-club drinks or BBQ. DJ’s here will be putting out creamy soulful vibes in this charmingly exotic venue.
The Beet Bar, tucked away Market Street carpark behind the High Street, will play host to a brand new dedicated Spoken Word Corner, SPOKEN AT MARGATE SOUL FESTIVAL.
Around 20,000 visitors are expected over the three days which will culminate in a. spectacular carnival parade. Visit the event website for the full 2017 line up and believe us, it’s not too early to start planning your 2018 Margate Soul Festival experience. Check the availability form on our home page to get your accommodation booking in early.
If you’re here this weekend – enjoy – we hope our guide will help you make the most of everything that’s on offer!
Tags: margatesoul festivalsoul weekend