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Celebrate Black History Month with these Trailblazing Artists

Posted on Wednesday 1st October 2025 at 15:12

Jodie Averis

Written by
Jodie Averis

Celebrating Black History Month 2025

Black History Month is the annual appreciation of the contributions and successes of people of Black heritage worldwide. During October, we celebrate Black people's tremendous artistic, cultural and political achievements. 

This year, the theme is "Standing Firm in Power and Pride,” a powerful tribute to the resilience, strength, and unwavering commitment to progress that defines the Black community across the globe. This year, the theme highlights the profound contributions made by Black people, be they leaders, activists, or pioneers who have shaped history, while also looking towards a future of continued empowerment, unity, and growth.

We are joining the celebration of Black culture by highlighting the many talented black performers and showcasing upcoming events featuring these exceptional artists.

Let's have a look at who is in the spotlight this month! 

 

Craig David  

The chart-topping king of UK Garage

Craig David exploded onto the scene after featuring on the Top 10 single "Re-Rewind" by UK garage legend Artful Dodger. Since then, his career has skyrocketed, with him hitting No. 1 with his 6x platinum debut album, Born to Do It, in 2000, and topping the charts with his later title, Following My Intuition.

Blending a delicious fusion of R&B, pop, and garage, Craig David's talent on record is matched by his high-octane live shows, where his signature “TS5” sets seamlessly blend DJing, singing, and MCing.

📆 Tour Dates:

  •   Thursday 9th April 2026: Craig David - Born To Do It: 25th Anniversary - Eventim Apollo, London

 FIND CRAIG DAVID TICKETS

 

Skunk Anansie

Punchy blend of punk and metal

Skunk Anansie are a trailblazing British rock band, renowned for their punchy blend of punk and metal.

Led by the unmistakable frontwoman Skin, the band saw success with their debut album Paranoid & Sunburnt in 1995, which is full of socially conscious lyrics and political commentary. Mixing their signature bold sound with vulnerability has cemented them as one of the most influential rock bands of the '90s. 

Skunk Anansie are set to stun as one of Bearded Theory Festival's headline acts, so catch them whilst you can in the serene setting of Derbyshire's Catton Park. 

📆 Tour Dates:

  • Thursday 21st May 2026: Bearded Theory - Catton Hall, Walton-on-Trent

 FIND SKUNK ANANSIE TICKETS

 

Cat Burns

South London singer-songwriter mixing soulful pop with R&B grooves

Raised in South London, Cat Burns is a rising singer-songwriter who mixes soulful pop with R&B grooves.

Her powerful voice and heartfelt lyrics have garnered her a rapidly growing following after he introduced herself with the starkly personal Adolescent EP in 2016.

Since then, her debut album Early Twenties (July 2024) deepened her storytelling, exploring themes like loneliness, insecurity and connection through warm, gospel-tinged pop. The album earned Mercury Prize recognition and includes standout tracks like “People Pleaser” and “Healing”, cementing her as a promising voice in British pop.

📆 Tour Dates:

 FIND CAT BURNS TICKETS

 

Dizzee Rascal 

East London grime and garage star is back on the We Want Bass Tour

East London rap star Dizzee Rascal is one of the most iconic grime and garage names in UK music.

After blasting through the charts with bangers such as "Bonkers", "Holiday" and "Bassline Junkie", Dizzee Rascal brought his brand of UK grime and garage to the masses, and became a household name with his Mercury Prize-winning debut Boy in da Corner (2003). 

Since then, he has made countless festival appearances, such as Glastonbury, Wireless and Reading and Leeds Festivals, and has anchored himself as a formidable and energetic live act. 

📆 Tour Dates:

  • Wednesday 26th November 2025: Dizzee Rascal - Rock City, Nottingham
  • Thursday 27th November 2025: Dizzee Rascal - Octagon Centre, Sheffield

 FIND DIZZEE RASCAL TICKETS

 

SL 

South London rapper loved for his laidback delivery

SL emerged from South London's rap scene with his trademark laidback delivery.

Having emerged with the minimalist hit "Gentleman" since he was just 15 years old, SL has since cemented himself as an intriguing voice in UK rap, with his fusion of grime and trap with introspective lyrics. 

📆 Tour Dates:

  • Thursday 16th October 2025: SL - SWG3 (Studio Warehouse Glasgow)
  • Friday 17th October 2025: SL - Manchester Club Academy
  • Saturday 18th October 2025: SL - O2 Institute2 Birmingham
  • Sunday 19th October 2025: SL - Strange Brew, Bristol 
  • Sunday 1st March 2026: SL - Village Underground, London

 FIND SL TICKETS

 

Jalen Ngonda

The next big thing in soul

Jalen Ngonda is rapidly making a huge name for himself in the soul scene.

Known for his smooth blend of soul, R&B, and pop influences, Ngonda first gained attention with his soulful voice and engaging songwriting, drawing comparisons to classic artists while maintaining a contemporary edge.

His debut EP, Jalen Ngonda (2020), showcased his exceptional vocal range and ability to craft heartfelt melodies, quickly establishing him as a rising star in the UK music scene.

📆 Tour Dates:

  • Thursday 16th October 2025: Jalen Ngonda - O2 City Hall Newcastle
  • Sunday 19th October 2025: Jalen Ngonda - O2 Apollo Manchester
  • Wednesday 22nd October 2025: Jalen Ngonda - Eventim Apollo, London

 FIND JALEN NGONDA TICKETS

 

Kofi Stone

Rapper and storyteller known for soulful lyrics and jazz influences

Kofi Stone is a UK rapper and storyteller, known for his soulful lyricism and jazz influences.

His debut album, Nobody Cares Till Everybody Does (2019), showcased his talent for blending deeply personal narratives with smooth, nostalgic production, drawing comparisons to artists like Loyle Carner and Mike Skinner.

Both classic influences and a contemporary twist have allowed Kofi Stone to carve out a unique space in UK hip-hop. 

📆 Tour Dates:

  • Tuesday 27th January 2026: KOFI STONE - Electric Bristol
  • Thursday 29th January 2026: KOFI STONE - New Century, Manchester

 FIND KOFI STONE TICKETS

 

Steam Down 

Afro-punk collective founded in London

Steam Down are a trailblazing Afro-punk collective, event series and creative community founded in London by multi-instrumentalist and producer Ahnansé in 2017.

Now acting as one of the capital's most vibrant hubs for a boundary-breaking sound. Along the way, they’ve picked up two Jazz FM Awards, including the Innovation Award and Live Experience of the Year, while Sky News spotlighted them for their pivotal role in London’s thriving jazz scene

📆 Tour Dates:

  • Monday 3rd November 2025: Steam Down - Strange Brew, Bristol
  • Wednesday 5th November 2025: Steam Down - Islington Assembly Hall, London

 FIND STEAM DOWN TICKETS

 

Dreadzone

Pioneers of UK electronic, fusing dub and reggae

Dreadzone are one of the UK's electronic music pioneers, effortlessly fusing dub, reggae and dance beat to create an immersive and danceable soundscape. 

Their sound, combining heavy basslines, rich electronic textures, and reggae influences, has earned them a dedicated fanbase across the UK.

Over the years, they have refined their unique style, blending live instruments with electronic beats to create immersive and powerful live shows.

📆 Tour Dates:

 FIND DREADZONE TICKETS

 

Skindred

Newport's beloved reggae-metallers

Hailing from Newport, South Wales, Skindred are one of the UK's most beloved alternative acts.

Their fusion of reggae and metal, nicknamed ragga-metal, have given them a sound that is uniquely Skindred.

Firm favourites on the festival circuit, the band, led by the charismatic Benji Webbe, have won over audiences around the world with their infectious energy, famous Newport Helicopter and have secured UK number 2 in the album charts with their critically-acclaimed most recent album, Smile (2023). 

Skindred are performing at Cardiff's Blackbird Festival, showcasing alternative and metal music in the Welsh capital. 

📆 Tour Dates:

 FIND SKINDRED TICKETS

 

The Wailers

Legendary Jamaican reggae band with an illustrious career

All the way from Jamaica, The Wailers are a legendary reggae band, with an illustrious career spanning since 1963.

Initially formed in 1963 by Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Bunny Wailer, over the years the band's lineup evolved, notably including bassist Aston "Family Man" Barrett and his brother, drummer Carlton Barrett.

Following Marley's passing in 1981, The Wailers continued to share his musical legacy, with Aston Barrett leading the group. In 2020, they released One World, their first studio album in 26 years, which earned a Grammy nomination. In 2024, they released Evolution, further cementing their place in reggae history.

📆 Tour Dates:

  •   Thursday 27th November 2025: The Wailers - Rock City, Nottingham

 FIND THE WAILERS TICKETS

 

Bob Vylan

Defiant and daring punk-rap duo

Bob Vylan are a ferocious punk-rap duo from London.

Formed of Bobby Vylan on guitar and vocals and Bobbie Vylan on drums, the pair infuse punk, metal, grime and rap in a frenetic outpour of emotion and passion. Their lyrics are consistently socially-conscious, rich with topics such as racism, injustice and criticising the establishment.

Their second album, We Live Here (2020), debuted at number 18 on the UK Albums Chart and went on to win both the Kerrang! Award for Best Album and the inaugural MOBO Award for Best Alternative Music Act—an extraordinary feat for a band operating entirely DIY.

They continue to prove themselves as an important figure in the UK punk scene. 

📆 Tour Dates:

 FIND BOB VYLAN TICKETS

 

DJ Spoony 

One of the figureheads for the UK Garage scene

UK garage superstar DJ Spoony is one of the UK's most cherished DJs.

Since the 1990s, he has helped define the sound of a generation, blending soulful vocals with infectious 2-step rhythms that dominated clubs and airwaves.

His iconic "Garage Classical" project, which reimagines UK garage anthems with a live orchestra, has been critically acclaimed and performed at prestigious venues like the Royal Albert Hall.

📆 Tour Dates:

 FIND DJ SPOONY TICKETS

 

The Selecter

Pioneering 2-tone ska band

The Selecter have been pioneering 2-tone ska music since 1979, and were a central force in the British ska revival of the late 1970s and early '80s.

Fronted by the charismatic Pauline Black, one of the few prominent Black female voices in punk and ska, the band fused Jamaican ska with punk rock energy and a message of unity, anti-racism, and social consciousness.

📆 Tour Dates:

  •   Friday 28th November 2025: The Selecter - KOKO, London

 FIND THE SELECTER TICKETS