Spring into summer 2023

Sunday 30th April 2023 saw the first Spring into Summer take place at The Forum in Tunbridge Wells. This event was a day festival, celebrating the coming summer and some of the finest musical talents on offer across a spectrum of genres. The weather was great, and the crowds had begun to gather early in excitement. Local food venue Rascals had their delicious pizzas being served out the front, as well as having decks set up playing an inviting selection of records to help set the vibe before even getting in to the venue. Once inside The Forum had been split into two stages, a main stage at the front for live acts, and a DJ booth at the back opposite the bar, allowing the music to flow all day, instead of having long gaps during set changes on stage. This really helped keep the atmosphere going all day without dropping off.

Jo Jardim kicked things off with a wonderfully soulful acoustic set, belting out such hits as 6 months, Girl I, and a fantastic rendition of Last Request by Paolo Nutini, which just so happens to be one of my favourite tracks of all time. It got the day off to a great start, and warmed the crowd up perfectly.

DJ Sparks was up next, playing a vinyl set of Hip-Hop, in what happens to be its 50th anniversary since its conception. And what a befitting set it was, with a clever blend of classic Hip-Hop favourites and obscure tracks. He always manages to pull out the perfect beats to grab people and get them moving on the dance floor.

Back at the main stage next, where local lads Real Life Goblin cranked up the energy with a raucous indie-punk set, that caught the imagination of all in attendance. They gave a powerhouse performance, oozing charisma and charm, and proving that rock is very much alive and well.

Tunbridge Wells Techno DJ and Producer BJIKA was next to take to the booth, showing off a selection of his own tracks, that you have little choice but to dance along to. You can see why he is getting such high acclaim, with his cleverly crafted arrangements and clean transitions.

Cardiff’s finest Reggae band, Captain Accident & The Disasters, then took to the stage. And boy oh boy, they did not disappoint. A real crowd favourite on the day. These boys can really play, having previously performed at festivals such as Glastonbury, Boomtown and One Love Festival to name a few. They seamlessly went through the gears, delighting the crowd with their medley of original hits and expertly taken on covers. Lead singer Adam has an astounding voice, and if you haven’t seen these chaps live, I suggest you do whenever the chance arises.

The next DJs in the hot-seat were the formidable Faraone Bros. These two have the most infectious energy and a unique bond due to being brothers. They’re also technically on point, have a real ear for everything House related, and never fail to get the party started. Incredible DJs who both have fantastic tune selection and a talent for mixing and producing their own music. By this point the festival revellers were in full swing.

It was back over to the main stage next for the sublime Samantics. A true genius, who’s heartfelt and emotional lyrics rapped over the top of his on the spot beats and melodies, made using multiple instruments and his loop station, blew everyone away. Everyone was fantastic at Spring into Summer, but Samantics was my pick of the bunch. A class act, who raps about mental health, and the world around him. He has been taking the festival circuit by storm and is truly one of the best musicians I’ve come across in recent years. A serious must watch for anyone out there yet to see him. His live shows are just breathtakingly good.

Fake Boy Slim was then next on the decks, and was joined by Kung Flude on bongos. There isn’t many people out there with a better breadth of musical knowledge. His back catalogue is extensive. He mixes crowd pleasing favourites and beautifully obscure tracks that makes the old songs you know and love, feel so fresh and exciting. A truly top selector. You never know what direction he is going to go in next, but it’s always a worthwhile musical journey. The addition of Kung Flude on the bongos added a layer of excitement and really made the set stand out.

Tunbridge Wells favourites Code: Marla were the last live band of the day, and they blew the roof off with their high octane set of Nu:Metal crossed with Hip-Hop & Dub. A band that always leaves every ounce of themselves on the stage. Front man Billy Kabanda epitomises this as he really goes all out, from his energy levels to his crowd interaction. Code: Marla will have you dancing and moshing until your feet feel like they are going to drop off, and this show was no different. Mesmerising stuff as always.

Last up on the DJ booth was Twony b2b SDN spinning oldskool DnB on vinyl, with very special guest Harry Shotta on the mic. These are two of Fun-Da-Mental’s resident DJs, who have a crazy collection of DnB and Jungle between them. They always get the crowd skanking. And what more needs to be said about the country’s finest DnB MC that hasn’t been said before? Harry Shotta bar for bar, is one of the best to ever do it. Great lyrics, impeccable flow, and someone who constantly delivers. The crowd absolutely loved this set, and it was easy to see why. Some fantastic tunes being mixed, some Filthy double drops and Harry Shotta setting the mic on fire. It was a moment we won’t forget anytime soon.

The final act of Spring into Summer was none other than 3x DMC World Scratch Champion JFB, one of the most talented DJs I’ve ever had the privilege of watching up close and personal. JFB has wowed crowds around the world on some of the biggest and best stages. The level of skill this man possesses is frightening. Quicker hands than a young Clint Eastwood in a wild West shootout, or a ninja warrior on steroids. It was a joy to see him doing his thing in the headline set. At this point of the evening the event was in full on rave mode, and JFB didn’t miss a beat. His insane DnB mega-mix scratch routine had everyone in a frenzy. And his unbelievable beat juggling abilities during his Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana routine was a real moment to remember. It was the perfect way to cap a fantastic day festival, full of beautiful ravers, and incredibly gifted musicians.

Such was the success of this occasion that the Fun-Da-Mental team hope to make this an annual event. I already can’t wait for the next one ✌️