Burning Spear ADD

Barrington Levy & Burning Spear in London @ South Facing Festival 2025

11/15/2024 by Press Release

A Historic Day Of Positive Vibrations In One Of London’s Greatest Locations
with Barrington Levy, Burning Spear, Sister Nancy & David Rodigan! Hosted by Seani B.

Kicking off an incredible line-up of musical legends and party starters, the critically acclaimed open-air concert series, South Facing, announces the inimitable reggae and dancehall icon Barrington Levy alongside reggae star Burning Spear to headline on Sunday 10th August 2025. These two incredible heavyweights will be joined by the first female star to break-through the male-dominated world of Jamaican dancehall, Sister Nancy, and trailblazing DJ and party-starter David Rodigan.

Starting in 1977 with the Mighty Multitude, Barrington Levy quickly rose as a solo star in Jamaica’s dancehalls, gaining recognition with hits like "Al Yah We Deh," "Englishman," and "Collie Weed." By the 1980s, he was internationally famous, especially in the UK, with albums like Here I Come, which earned him Best Vocalist at the British Reggae Awards. In 2023, the Jamaican reggae and dancehall legend got the crowd moving with a memorable set at Glastonbury Festival on the West Holts stage. Burning Spear's impact on reggae music is profound. A true legend, Spear's legacy through his music is one of self-reliance and self-determination for the African diaspora. With a career spanning over six decades, his message remains on point and his vocal delivery is as powerful as it is identifiable.

Sister Nancy continues to blaze new trails 35 years after the release of her first and only album. Recently recognised by Pitchfork as The Best Dancehall Song of All-Time, Bam Bam has been sampled, quoted and referenced in tracks by Lauryn Hill, Wiz Khalifa, Too Short, Kanye West and Jay-Z. For over 35 years David Rodigan has been the top dog in the bass heavy-atmosphere of Britain's reggae dance-halls. The original Reggae selector and soundclash champion rounds off the line up at this incredible day of positive vibes on 10 August at Crystal Palace Park. 

South Facing is a multi-day, open-air festival that takes place each summer in the historically significant Crystal Palace Bowl. The festival boasts a huge choice of top-end street food and drink options  including street food, craft ale and rum shack, and is easily accessible from London and all over the South East thanks to the various train and bus routes, including Crystal Palace (TfL Overground and National Rail), Penge West (TfL Overground and National Rail), and Gipsy Hill (National Rail).

Debuting in 2021, South Facing was created with the ultimate goal of having reduced environmental impact. South Facing works with local partners while setting high standards in sustainability for everything from audience experience and travel to recyclable and compostable products.

Previous years have included huge headline performances, with Grace Jones, Damian Marley, Supergrass, Sleaford Mods, The English National Opera, Richard Ashcroft, Becky Hill, Bombay Bicycle Club, Jungle, and Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, all gracing the stage.

TICKETS ON-SALE: Friday 22nd November at 10am @ SOUTHFACINGFESTIVAL.com