HYBRID MINDS + HEDEX + KMOTIONZ + KANINE + KINGS OF THE ROLLERS + INJA + BASSLAYERZ + BORN ON ROAD + CATCHING CAIRO + TEMPZA – BRIGHTON BEACH 25.7.25
It’s Day Five of Seven of the very popular ‘On The Beach’ series of open air concerts on Brighton Beach. Day One’s event was headlined by Bonobo with a half dozen other artists sharing the bill (Review HERE), Day Two’s event was headlined by Eric Prydz also with a half dozen other artists sharing the bill (Review HERE), Day Three’s event was headlined by Bloc Party with a handful of other artists sharing the bill (Review HERE) and Day Four featured The Human League, Marc Almond, Toyah, and new act A Thousand Mad Things (Review HERE).
Brighton Beach with its iconic pebbles and vibrant seaside energy, was transformed into a pulsating drum & bass haven as ‘DnB Allstars’ returned for their highly anticipated takeover of the ‘On The Beach’ festival. Following a sold-out debut in 2024, the 2025 edition promised to elevate the experience, and it delivered in spades. Featuring a stellar lineup, the event was a monumental celebration of drum & bass culture. With a glorious sunny afternoon setting the stage and a spectacular laser and light show illuminating the night as dusk fell, this was a day etched into the memories of thousands of ravers.
The event kicked off at 2pm with gates opening to a flood of eager festival-goers basking in the warmth of a perfect summer day. The atmosphere was electric from the outset with the majority of the generally under 30’s crowd ready for a party.
As the music began, the beach vibrated with the deep, rolling basslines that define DnB. The lineup was a masterclass in balancing the genre’s diverse spectrum, from emotive melodies to the high-octane energy of jump-up.
The first act I witnessed was Catching Cairo who set a soulful tone with her signature blend of smooth vocals and rolling beats. Her performance was a perfect appetizer, warming up the crowd with tracks that merged liquid drum and bass with an almost hypnotic groove. Against the backdrop of a sun-soaked beach, her set felt like a love letter to the summer, with the crowd swaying in unison, hands in the air, and smiles everywhere. Her ability to connect with the audience, coupled with her powerful delivery, made her a standout, proving why she’s a rising star in the scene.
Kanine followed, bringing a seismic shift in energy. Known for his aggressive, bass-heavy productions, Kanine’s set was a relentless onslaught of pounding drums and filthy drops. Tracks like ‘Feel The Vibration’ and ‘Bloodstream’ sent shockwaves through the crowd, with the beach becoming a sea of bouncing bodies. His precision behind the decks and knack for reading the crowd kept the energy sky-high, as the sunny afternoon amplified the raw power of his sound with his MC’s brilliant vocals. Kanine’s set served as a reminder of why he’s a titan in the jump-up world.
listen.ukf.com/kanine-bloodstream
The set from Basslayerz and Born On Road was fabulous, showcasing the collaborative spirit of drum and bass. Basslayerz, known for their high-energy performances, teamed up with the Bristol-based Born On Road crew, including Aries, Kelvin 373, and Selecta J-Man. This set was a masterclass in versatility, blending jungle influences with modern drum and bass grit and had the crowd skanking under the sun, while the MCs—IC3, Rage, and Inja—kept the vibes soaring with their lyrical dexterity. The synergy between the artists was palpable, and the sunny afternoon provided the perfect canvas for their infectious energy, with the sea sparkling in the background.
linktr.ee/basslayerz and www.instagram.com/bornonroadcrew
Kings Of The Rollers and Inja tore up the festival with a thunderous set of heavyweight rollers and pure lyrical energy. Inja’s flow was flawless, riding every drop with charisma. A flawless fusion of raw bass and crowd control—easily one of the day’s standout performances.
linktr.ee/kingsoftherollers and open.spotify.com/playlist
KMotionz delivered a set that was nothing short of explosive. His rapid-fire mixing and genre-blending approach—fusing jump-up, neurofunk, and even hints of liquid—kept the crowd on their toes. Tracks like ‘Vibe’and ‘Drowning’ resonated deeply, with the basslines reverberating across the beach. The glorious sunshine seemed to amplify the euphoria, as KMotionz’s relentless energy matched the crowd’s enthusiasm. His ability to seamlessly transition between subgenres while maintaining a cohesive flow made his performance memorable, cementing his status as one of dnb’s most dynamic selectors.
As the sun began to set, Hybrid Minds and Tempza offered up a masterclass in liquid DnB, blending soulful melodies with high-energy drops. Tempza’s commanding vocals amplified the duo’s emotive soundscapes, creating an unforgettable vibe. The crowd were swept away in the stunning visuals and an immersive atmosphere. They certainly cemented their status as DnB legends. Pure euphoria.
linktr.ee/hybridmindsdnb and linktr.ee/tempza
As darkness enveloped the site, the crowd was eagerly anticipating Hedex‘s headline set. Hedex, making his ‘On The Beach’ debut and responsible for one of my favourite ever DnB tracks, the phenomenal ‘Liquor And Cigarettes’ unleashed a torrent of pounding bass and nirvanic rhythms, showcasing why he’s a drum & bass titan. Eksman’s commanding mic work, with razor-sharp lyricism, hyped the crowd to fever pitch, seamlessly guiding the energy. The beachfront setting amplified the vibe, with a pulsating laser light show exploding from the stage. Fans erupted for every drop, the beach a veritable seething mass of energy.
For those who were there, it was more than a DnB festival day; it was a moment in time where music, the sea, and audience connection collided in perfect harmony. DnB Allstars has set the bar impossibly high for 2026, but if this year is anything to go by, they’ll find a way to raise it further still.
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