Inside City Splash: A Conversation with Ben Ryan
How culture, community, and grassroots passion built one of London’s most vibrant independent music festivals.
Ben Ryan joins the interview wearing a pink bucket hat, sporting a big smile and offering an unnecessary apology for a slightly muddled schedule. We get right into the talk with a foundational question:
“When you look at City Splash today compared to when you first started, has it become what you originally envisioned, or has the culture and community taken it somewhere you never expected?”
Ben pauses to reflect before answering. “Wow, a very good question. I knew I would provide a quality event for the community and culture because of my work ethic and values. However, for the magnitude and scale it has become from 2021 until now—with our last four events selling out and adding another show—that is a true testimony to our supporters.”
Ben’s journey to founding City Splash is rooted deep in London’s musical heritage. Raised in Dalston, his early years were spent exploring local markets, listening to pirate radio stations, and promoting events. Over time, that passion evolved into industry experience with major record labels like EMI and Serious, laying the groundwork for what would eventually become the City Splash brand.
Nurturing the Next Generation
When asked about the importance of reinvesting in upcoming talent through initiatives like Rise Up and grassroots foundations, Ben speaks with visible pride. City Splash partners with Spotify, the BBC, and various recording platforms to host writing camps, stream analytics workshops, media runs, and recording sessions. These efforts are designed to equip emerging artists for long-term careers beyond the festival stage.
He hopes these initiatives allow creatives to build future stardom—eventually returning as festival headliners or launching their own international tours. Reflecting on his own upbringing, Ben notes that just as his youth inspired City Splash, he hopes the festival now acts as a stepping stone for the next wave of creative greatness.
A Tapestry of Sounds and Spaces
Inclusion and diversity are core to the festival’s identity. “London is a diverse city,” Ben explains. “Growing up, we were all influenced by many sounds, and our sounds influence many.” That eclectic mix is reflected across the festival’s stages, spanning Garage, Grime, House, Afrobeats, Drum & Bass, Jungle, Amapiano, Reggae, Dancehall, and Soca, alongside sound systems and panel discussions.
Ben highlights the contrast between the seasonal experiences: the outdoor summer event embraces live bands and sunny reggae vibes, while the indoor winter warehouse events lean heavily into high-energy Dancehall culture, complete with immersive lighting and deep, chest-thumping basslines.
What’s on Ben’s Playlist?
Asked about his current music rotation, Ben admits his listening habits are heavily tied to festival lineups. Right now, Masicka and Damian Marley’s “1 Psalm a Day” sits at the top of his list—a track that symbolically bridges this November’s headliner with next May’s main act. He’s also had Masicka’s latest album, new Damian Marley collaborations, and riddims from upcoming festival acts on repeat.
Media, Sponsors, and Ethical Responsibility
Sustaining an independent festival requires a strong ecosystem of partners, media, and staff:
- Media & Coverage: Ben expresses deep gratitude for vloggers, magazines, radio stations, and online outlets that cover City Splash before, during, and after events, keeping the community connected and informed.
- Sponsorships: As an independent brand, finding partners who align with their values is essential for financial stability and securing top-tier talent while staying sustainable.
- Fair Pay & Community: Ben deliberately avoids the term “volunteers” to prevent any association with unpaid labor. All team members receive at least the London Living Wage. Through internships and local hiring, City Splash remains committed to reinvesting in the community that hosts it.
Looking to the Future
With several former Rise Up artists now receiving Grammy consideration, Ben humbly deflects sole credit, seeing it instead as part of the festival’s duty to support the grassroots foundation of Reggae and Dancehall music.
As for what lies ahead, expansion is certainly on the horizon—with potential for new cities and even overseas events. While hinting at secret upcoming projects, Ben prefers to let results speak for themselves. “There were many great brands before City Splash,” he notes. “Now, we are proud to be one of the brands helping drive the re-emergence of Reggae and Dancehall culture across the UK and beyond.”
City Splash is clearly in safe hands and passionate hearts. As the conversation wraps up, one message remains clear: supporting events created for us, by us is vital to keeping our culture thriving.
