Friday
Friday’s programme opens with the Black Community Regional Programme Takeover (Essex). Mabs is an Essex-based grassroots artist blending contemporary soul and alt-R&B with a distinctively British sound rooted in Yoruba gospel tradition. Her poetic lyricism and rich vocal tone have established her as one of Essex’s most compelling rising voices.
Josh Tenor is a singer, songwriter and producer raised in Hackney whose neo-soul, funk and alternative R&B draws on his Ghanaian heritage to explore themes of identity, desire and modern relationships. Influenced by Stevie Wonder, D’Angelo and Prince, he blends rich melodies, groove-led instrumentation and reflective lyricism with sharp social awareness.
i.am.afiya is a South London singer, songwriter and producer who is a self-taught guitarist and pianist. Refusing to be put in a box, she fuses indie, trip-hop, rock and soul into a sound The Line of Best Fit has labelled ‘indie-emo-soul’, drawing influence from Paramore and Radiohead to Lianne La Havas and King Krule.
LFAY is a lyricist and vocalist from rural Norfolk whose vibrant sound fuses old-school hip-hop, urban jazz and neo-soul with elements of jungle, drum and bass and breaks. She was named a BBC Introducing ‘One to Watch 2026’ for Suffolk and Norfolk, and her third EP, LOUD MOUTH FM, inspired by the pirate radio scene of the 1990s, arrives this summer.
Native James is an alternative-rap artist from Ipswich who melds hip-hop, grime, punk, rock, metal and garage into a sound as distinctive as it is magnetic. A proud product of the Ipswich music scene, he has spoken passionately about representing the town’s creative community and putting its rap and rock scene on the map. He was recently nominated for a MOBO Award for Best Alternative Music Act.
L U is a DJ and producer from rural Mid Norfolk, now based in Norwich, who crafts feel-good, emotionally rich sets rooted in disco, house and vocal-led dance music. Describing herself as a musical storyteller who believes every mix has a narrative waiting to be heard, her EP ‘Sonic Sister’ celebrates the contributions of female and femme producers to dance music.
Saturday
Leo Lore is a singer and songwriter raised in the quiet flatlands of Norfolk, whose smooth soul sound is shaped by a richly multicultural upbringing — the product of an English father and a mother of Yemeni and Romanian heritage, with a household filled with sweet soul and reggae. Drawing on classic touchstones from Billie Holiday and Ray Charles, he crafts raw but soothing vocals that sit comfortably between the old school and the new.
Ayo is an Ipswich-based artist blending Afrobeats-inspired rhythms and feel-good community energy. Building a growing audience across TikTok and Instagram through viral dance content and local storytelling, he has earned a reputation for energetic, uplifting live performances.
PleasureInc are a Norwich four-piece. Sitting at the collision point of British indie sleaze and American hip-hop, with a spirit born from 90s wrestling and skateboarding culture, their self-styled brit-hop sound has drawn comparisons to Beastie Boys, Gorillaz, Stone Roses and Tyler, the Creator.
Mama Oh No are a family four-piece from Cromer on the north Norfolk coast, drawing on old soul, blues, garage rock and surf music to deliver their own unique blend of swampy guitar, clanging bass, fuzz and spring reverb. Signed to HMV’s 1921 record label, they released debut album ‘Mamasaurus’ in 2023.
Gabby Rivers is a singer-songwriter from Suffolk now based in Norwich, creating angsty alternative-rock built around the chaos of young adulthood. Inspired by Wolf Alice, Nothing But Thieves, Beach Riot and Olivia Rodrigo, she has sold out shows across the UK, earned plays on BBC Radio 1 and BBC 6Music.
MUCKANIKS is a producer and DJ with over two decades of experience whose raw, high-energy sound is rooted in speed garage, UK club culture and underground dancefloors. Before moving fully into electronic music he produced for Dizzee Rascal and Ocean Wisdom. His dubs have landed at Coachella, and a five-track EP vis imminent.
Sunday
Holybones are a mysterious and highly buzzed-about anonymous musical outfit from Northampton, championed by BBC Introducing Three Counties and Northants and featured on shows hosted by Kerrie Cosh. Known for their emotive electronic sound that draws frequent comparisons to Fred again.., they first caught regional and national attention with standout singles ‘Dogs’ and ‘Saltywater’.
Nadia Kadek is a British-Indonesian alt-pop artist raised in the quiet countryside of rural Norfolk and now based in London. A self-described festival baby whose earliest musical memories were shaped by Florence and the Machine and Jeff Buckley, she placed runner-up in the Glastonbury Emerging Talent Competition and made her debut at the festival in 2024.
This year also sees the continuation of First Light Festival‘s partnership with Latitude, which gives selected First Light acts the opportunity to perform at Henham Park. This year’s chosen artists, performing on the Alcove Stage, are Magnolia and Like Optimists.
Magnolia are an intricate and innovative seven-piece art-punk band from Norwich. Concocting temperamental storms of cutting riffs, harmonic melody and corrosive blasts of sax-borne unruliness, they are one of the most thrilling live prospects to emerge from the region in recent years.
Like Optimists are a four-piece alternative rock band from Lowestoft, inspired by Green Day, Blink-182 and My Chemical Romance, delivering loud, catchy, high-energy shows built around fast riffs and big hooks.
