News: Morcheeba and UNKLE confirmed for South Facing Festival 2025
3 min read
South Facing Festival is set to deliver an unforgettable day of sonic exploration with an all-day event dedicated to the pioneers of trip-hop, downtempo, and classic beats. On 14 August 2025, Crystal Palace Park will come alive with a huge line-up featuring Morcheeba, and UNKLE, with very special guest DJ Shadow – offering a rare opportunity to see these artists on the same set – alongside a host of DJs, with more to be announced.
Headlining the event is the iconic Morcheeba, the British duo known for their seamless fusion of trip-hop, psychedelic rock, blues, and pop. With their unmistakable sound, Morcheeba has been a defining voice in electronic music since the ’90s and continues to captivate audiences worldwide. Joining them is UNKLE, with their Rōnin live tour, the shapeshifting London outfit that has long resided at the crossroads of electronic music, hip-hop, and alternative rock. Originally founded by James Lavelle, UNKLE will bring their signature cinematic beats and immersive soundscapes to the South Facing stage.
The event is further amplified by a special guest set from DJ Shadow, a legendary producer and turntable virtuoso who has revolutionised instrumental hip-hop. With his innovative sampling techniques and deep crates of obscure records, DJ Shadow will deliver a set that is sure to be as mesmerising as it is groundbreaking.
Best known for his work with Jurassic 5 and Ozomatli, and adding to the high-energy line-up is the charismatic and instantly recognisable Chali 2na, whose deep baritone voice and dynamic stage presence have made him a fan favourite. Also gracing the decks is Zero 7, the UK-based downtempo pioneers whose smooth, atmospheric sound has influenced a generation. Since their formation in 1997, Zero 7 has been synonymous with beautifully crafted electronic music, blending lush instrumentation with soulful vocals. One of the most progressive audio visual artists around today, DJ Cheeba, also joins, with more to be announced.
South Facing is a multi-day, open-air festival that takes place each summer in the historically significant Crystal Palace Bowl. The festival boasts a huge choice of top-end street food and drink options including street food, craft ale and rum shack, and is easily accessible from London and all over the South East thanks to the various train and bus routes, including Crystal Palace (TfL Overground and National Rail), Penge West (TfL Overground and National Rail), and Gipsy Hill (National Rail). So far this year, announcements have included Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Basement Jaxx, Skepta’s Big Smoke festival, Flackstock, Mogwai and more.
Previous years have included huge headline performances, with Grace Jones, Damian Marley, Supergrass, Sleaford Mods, The English National Opera, Richard Ashcroft, Becky Hill, Bombay Bicycle Club, Jungle, and Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, all gracing the stage.
SOUTH FACING FESTIVAL 2025:
MOGWAI & LANKUM 7 AUGUST
BIG SMOKE / SKEPTA 9 AUGUST
MORCHEEBA & UNKLE 14 AUGUST
BASEMENT JAXX 22 & 23 AUGUST
NILE RODGERS & CHIC 24 AUGUST
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