Funk the Family is an all-day festival held in Hove Park, Brighton (well, Hove actually) with an emphasis on really good quality music for all the family.
Born in 2014, the first ever event (then located at Fatboy Slim’s Big Beach Cafe at Hove Lagoon) sold out months in advance. The capacity of Hove Lagoon was 1000 and in 2015 they move to the much bigger site of Hove Park with space to grow.
Turning Hove Park into a musical wonderland for families, Funk The Family set themselves apart by selecting really high quality bands and DJs that the entire family can enjoy. Festival founder, DJ and mother-of-two Lucy ‘Elle J’ Small has worked in the music industry for over a decade- previously as a music journalist interviewing artists like Pharrell Williams and Janet Jackson and currently as a radio presenter on Brighton’s Radio Reverb.
FTF has successfully combined exceptional live music and DJs with fantastic entertainment and activities for all the family.
Musically, Funk The Family champions soul, funk, disco, hip hop, Latin, ska and reggae-related live and DJ music. There’s a main, outdoor stage featuring live acts and a Club Tropicana tent, plus the awe-inspiring Cirque du Funk Big Top Circus Tent that endlessly educates and amazes all ages.
Past FTF music acts have included Soul II Soul, Norman Jay, Tru Thoughts artists, Omar, DJ Format, Basement Jaxx’s Vula, Russ Dewbury, Atlantic Horns, King Porter Stomp and many more.
On top of all the singing and dancing, also included in the festival ticket price are: family holistic Tree of Life yoga, storytelling, craft areas, recycling toy workshops, walkabout performers, interactive music and sports games.
Local produce will, as ever, serve organic, vegan and gluten-free options, encompassing everything from Indian street food to wood-fire pizza, with drinks provided by the likes of Brighton Bier and Brighton Gin.
Lucy ‘Elle J’ Small, FTF founder and director:
“Funk The Family Festival has succeeded by giving families a gorgeous, easily accessible day-time festival with exceptional music, food and activities, all without the hassle of camping.
“We want to bring that Notting Hill Carnival vibe to Brighton & Hove.”
visit the website for further info funkthefamily.co.uk or book here
Read a 2017 review from 7 year old Hunny, a review of 2016 from Baby Isabella and our Funk The Family Festival Kidz review here