32.98°C What began as a one-day festival just weeks after lockdown has grown into one of Essex’s most distinctive independent music events. This August, Secret Island Festival returns to Mersea Island near Colchester for three days of music, camping, art, food and family entertainment, but for co-founder Ben Wass, the focus remains exactly where it started.
“We opened our doors for the first time two weeks after lockdown, and our focus was simply to see if we could do it,” said Ben. “Making it a one-day festival seemed the safest option while we learnt our craft.
“Making it a multi-day event always made sense. Our camping field offers some of the most beautiful views in Essex, and it has given us the opportunity to bring more artists to the festival. This year we’re introducing a family day on the Sunday, which we’re really excited about because it welcomes a different audience.”
Now in its sixth year, Secret Island Festival will feature four stages, bringing together internationally recognised DJs, live bands, local artists and community creatives across the weekend. Camping also makes its debut this year, giving festivalgoers the chance to experience the full weekend on Mersea Island.
Despite welcoming artists including Norman Jay MBE, Faithless and The Streets’ Mike Skinner in previous years, Ben says booking the biggest names has never been the priority.
“Our focus has always been to find the best quality artists our budget will allow. We try to keep the balance between established artists and up-and-coming local talent. I still have to pinch myself when I look at some of the legends we’ve welcomed to our site over the years.”
Alongside the music, Secret Island has become known for showcasing local creatives, art installations and independent food traders, helping create a festival that feels rooted in the community rather than built around celebrity headliners.
“We’ve spent our lives collecting music from all genres. We’ve been to so many gigs, both good and bad, and all that experience goes into how we curate the festival.
“We work closely with creative communities who use us as a platform to show their art and installations. Together with the right artists, that creates a safe and friendly atmosphere that I don’t think is rivalled anywhere else.”
For Ben, the location is just as important as the line-up.
“Mersea Island is a very unique place. It’s been a place where people have come to rest and relax for centuries. A happy, friendly crowd with the backdrop of the creeks and beautiful countryside makes Secret Island Festival a very special event.”
While much of the weekend is spent solving problems behind the scenes, he always makes time to stop and appreciate what the team has created.
“Running a festival is stressful. It’s easy to get caught up in the bureaucracy and the financial side of things, so I always make time during the day to stop and take it all in. We have to remind ourselves what it’s really about.
“We’re providing a safe space for people who love dancing, art and music.”
Looking to the future, Ben hopes Secret Island continues to be known less for its size than for how it makes people feel.
“I hope people will always see Secret Island Festival as somewhere they can trust. A place where they can leave everyday life behind for a while, reset and enjoy quality music, whether that’s discovering someone new or hearing old favourites.”
As for this year’s highlights, choosing just one isn’t easy.
“Todd Terry on the Friday night is a legend, and he’s still putting out great music after all these years. DJ Pogo will be amazing too, but honestly, I’m looking forward to so many artists that I’m just going to try and soak it all in.
“And because I love my food, I’m also looking forward to our local food stalls. We have some award-winning cooks on site who’ll be feeding people and putting smiles on people’s faces.”
Secret Island Festival takes place on Friday 7th to Sunday 9th August on Mersea Island. The weekend features four music stages covering house, disco, drum & bass, and live bands, alongside camping, art installations, independent food traders, and a family day on Sunday.
This year’s line-up
Secret Island Festival 2026 will feature more than 100 artists across five stages, with everything from house, disco and drum & bass to reggae, ska, indie, acoustic music and family entertainment spread across the three-day weekend.
The Lighthouse is home to house and underground sounds, with performances from Solardo, The Stanton Warriors, Ben Wass & Matt Prevett, Sarah Jae, Fish56Octagon, DJ Finnatic, Declan Knapp, Fortress, Local Dub and more.
The Causeway, hosted by Rough Tempo across Saturday and Sunday, opens on Friday with house legend Todd Terry before switching gears for a packed drum & bass and jungle programme featuring DJ Hype, DJ Hazard, DJ Heist, Danny Byrd, Kenny Ken, DJ Archie, Harry D & Deadlock, Blank Canvas & Scoundrel with Char, Crabby & Uniques, Sparko, Smiley & Smithee, Rampin, Josie Jayne, Leeky, Worzal and many more.
The Sandbar offers house, disco and feel-good grooves throughout the weekend, with sets from Nicky Blackmarket (House Set), Ben Wass, Sarah Jae, James Jackson, Jan Pacula, Miss Hazey, Phil Sedwell, Disco77, Crabby, Banksi & Trixie, SS Grove and others.
Hosted by Roots & Grooves, The Driftwood provides a more laid-back soundtrack with artists including DJ Pogo, Komplikated, Matt Love, Em Loud, Shoesy, Trevor Fung, Tony Wilson, Jamie Clarke, Bobby Skillz, The Breathing Beat, Chelle, Johnny Nowhere, Paul the Hat and Sam Fez.
Live music takes centre stage at The Cactus, hosted by Black Cactus Studio, which returns with a line-up including The Wicked Ravens, Native James, Honkus Rompus, The Ska’d Town Crashers, Funke and the Two Tone Baby, The Kubricks, Hobo Chang, House Gospel Choir, The Cuban Brothers, Amber Burgoyne, Peonie, Lianne Kaye and The Lamplight Club.
For full stage times, the complete line-up and ticket information, visit the festival website.
