51st Festival: Mark Knight, Steve Lawler, Kathy Brown, Damage, Heartless Crew & more join lineup
London’s flagship roots of house music and multi-genre event, 51st Festival (FKA 51st State) has unveiled full details of stage billings as well as adding an electrifying string of new artists to this year’s roster.
Leading the pack of new artists, top-selling Beatport house DJ and producer Mark Knight is confirmed to headline the La Fiesta stage alongside Viva Warriors head honcho Steve Lawler. With fellow stage additions UK singles chart-topper Secondcity, fast-rising bass and techno DJ, Hodge, and more rounding off what is promised to be a memorable Saturday under the sun.
Elsewhere, North London’s longtime purveyors of UK garage Heartless Crew also join the billing alongside old school drum and bass DJ Doc Scott, and legendary Notting Hill Carnival sound system Rampage all set to deliver some high octane sessions.
Set to perform live, legendary R&B and soul singer, Mica Paris tops the bill of the newly unveiled Soul Network stage. She joins much-celebrated jazz-funk outfit Light Of The World and 90s R&B group, Damage. neo-soul, house, jazz and boogie DJ Tony Rodriguez will bring smooth and soulful grooves to the programme. Best known for her 1979 number one UK charts smasher, ‘Silly Games’, reggae legend Janet Kay will also play live alongside the aptly-nicknamed “queen of lovers rock”, Carroll Thompson on the Hot Wuk stage.
Two new live acts announced for the main stage include Kathy Brown “Turn Me Out” and Tony Momrelle (Incognito). They will be joining the previously announced lineup acts, veteran of soulful house music production Dennis Ferrer, one-half of trailblazing duo Masters at Work Kenny Dope, and Grammy Award-winning DJ Roger Sanchez, plus live singers India, Julie McKnight, and Amapiano party starters, TXC.
On performing at 51st Festival, Roger Sanchez said: “I always love playing 51st Festival. The lineups are always stellar, with the event consistently attracting an extremely devoted house music audience who are truly up for the party. I can’t wait to play this year’s instalment!”
Toolroom boss, Mark Knight commented: “It’s always a huge honour to be involved with 51st Festival, and this year is no exception. It’s without doubt the leading soulful house event in the country: the vibe is second to none, and it gives me the opportunity to show exactly what I’m about as a DJ, playing the full range of music I love and that inspires me. Last year’s show playing tracks from my album alongside Beverley Knight was a real standout moment for me, so I’m super excited to get back on stage again.”
Hosting this year’s new drum and bass stage, Metalheadz label manager, Ant TC1 added: “It’s great to be able to showcase our label this year at 51st Festival. Musically speaking, it’s a festival we feel very much in touch with. Year on year, the past lineups speak for themselves. We’re looking forward to this one immensely.”
As usual, 51st Festival hosts the best of dance music’s microphone men, with newly announced names, MC CKP and MC GQ joining MC Creed, MC DT, MC Kie, MC Rankin and MC Onyx Stone across the star-studded lineup.
Bobby and Steve’s legendary Ibiza label and events promotion company, Groove Odyssey, is confirmed to host this year’s main stage, with old school house and garage promoters Backto95, Tech House London party leaders La Fiesta, London’s long-established soul and dance event Soul Network, reggae and dancehall party Hot Wuk and internet radio station House FM also announced to host various stages across the day.
With so much on offer, the return of 51st Festival promises an unforgettable fun-fuelled day celebrating house, afro, garage, disco, soul, RnB, dancehall, drum & bass, soca, amapiano and more, with a hefty portion of nostalgia, new music and plenty of good-time vibes to choose from.
General tickets are £35 and VIP tickets are £50. Tickets are available here: www.51stfestival.com
