Sidmouth Coastal Community Hub (SCCH), the creative team behind the annual Sidmouth Sea Fest every May, is celebrating a roaring success following the sold-out return of Caribbean Night.
Taking place at the stunning Tythe Barn at Thorn Golf Centre in Salcombe Regis, the pilot event proved to be a massive hit, bringing sunshine, authentic grass-roots music, and irresistible One Love vibes to East Devon.
Under clear, sunny skies, attendees soaked up the chilled-out atmosphere, complemented by popular rum pitchers and an energetic can bar serving up chilled Red Stripe and ginger beer. The evening featured a feast of vibrant island flavours: local ice cream and cake collaborators Vanillibean and Angel Chops Cakes paired up alongside the new Tuk Tuk Tuck Shop, serving light bites like Loaded Reggae Nachos and Spicy Sweetcorn Fritters. Caribbean Fix kept crowds energised with flavourful Jamaican patties and jerk chicken.
A Grassroots Celebration of Diverse Music
Organisers were thrilled with the turnout and support, which highlighted SCCH’s mission to diversify the local cultural landscape by bringing vibrant Afro-Caribbean genres and live music talent to the region.
The stellar evening kicked off with joyful, skilful sets from the London-based Pan Nation steel band. A standout highlight of the night was an authentic roots reggae performance by Dappa Don & The Playaz that had the crowd moving. Powerhouse Bristol-based female DJ Sasha Steppa kept the energy flowing with a cool fusion of reggae and dub, paving the way for The Hempolics. Delivering their unique mash-up of rootsy vibes, deep narratives, and sound system bass, the band captivated the audience with their authentic sound.
The night reached a dance-frenzy crescendo with a high-energy set from a Bristol DJ legend, who closed out the event with an unforgettable, wide range of reggae genres including dancehall, ragga, dub fusion, jungle, and ska.
Community, Creativity, and Support
The Tythe Barn was transformed into an island paradise thanks to Artistic Director Coco Hodgkinson’s creative decor.
"We had a lot of fun with set design, reusing and upcycling tin, making palm trees, and sign-writing to bring the beautiful Tythe Barn location to life for a Caribbean theme," said Coco Hodgkinson, Artistic Director. "Huge thanks to Malcolm and Jill, the venue owners, for their incredible support—so many attendees have shared their love for this stunning Salcombe Regis spot!"
The event was made possible thanks to a dedicated team of volunteers who ensured everything ran smoothly, alongside vital backing from local building suppliers Bradfords and funding from Arts Council England plus in kind support from Rainbow Plants.
"We wanted to bring back this cultural tradition and proved that there is a call for it," said Festival Director Louise Cole. "We were really happy with the support we got and achieved our goal to bring people together through music."
Creative Director Tara Greifenberg added: "What a night—there was truly something for everyone! From Pan Nation's joyful early steel band sets and the inimitable Dappa Don & The Playaz to deep narrative roots from The Hempolics and taking us to the finish line on a high, the energy was unmatched."
Looking Ahead
With attendees overwhelmingly calling for Caribbean Night to become an annual staple once again, SCCH is already reviewing what went well and planning for the future. Plans for next year are set to expand on this year's success, with ideas to bring in even more food options and an outdoor bar to keep up with the soaring demand.