A free festival is giving music fans the chance to enjoy top DJs and artists during the cost-of-living crisis.

Breeze, organised by Source of Sound, will bring big names such as Danny Rampling, Brandon Block, Jonathan Ulysses, Lisa Loud, Vickie Vibe and Dom Johnson to Folkestone.

The event will boast a main stage, soul and house tent, food and drink stalls, and a ‘Rise’ session in the morning where festival-goers can relax, meditate and dance on the beach without their phones.

The free concert is a response to the current economic climate, which contributed to more than 100 grassroots music venues closing in 2023 and 44% of fans buying fewer festival tickets last year, according to Festival Insights.

Data from Credit Karma’s survey of 2,000 UK adults also found more than a third of festival-goers have dipped into their savings to pay for tickets this year and three in five people say that increasing ticket prices have gone too far.

In Kent, the team behind Black Deer, one of the county’s biggest music festivals, announced that they were forced to scrap this year’s event due to ‘unpredictable ticket sales, ever-rising production costs and general economic conditions’.

Spencer Freeman, one of the Breeze organisers, said: “Nothing like this has ever been done before – a huge line-up that people can come to see for free.

“The cost-of-living crisis is having a huge effect, and so we wanted to create an event that people can enjoy without worrying about money, or not going because they can’t afford it.

“We’re expecting people from across the south east and further afield – it’s going to be a great event to kick off summer in Folkestone.

“We’ve had generous support from suppliers to help make it possible. All you have to do is get to Folkestone by car, train or on foot, and enjoy the line-up!”

One of the UK’s rave pioneers, Danny Rampling, will headline the main stage, with support from DJ and TV personality Brandon Block.

Folkestone-born DJ Stretch Silvester, who had a Top 10 hit with I’m Alive in 1994 and performed at Fatboy Slim and Zoe Ball’s wedding, will also return to his home town to play at the festival.

“I love the change that’s happened in Folkestone – I love it for the vibe, the events and the people,” says the 57-year-old. “The young Stretch would fit in well these days, but back then, we were trying to do stuff that was too new – the music, the clothes, the club nights.

“It’s a fantastic place to call home, to come back to and I have some great memories of the place as a youngster.

“I found it hard to get a gig, and I was lucky because I had someone who built me a House Room. Young DJs these days find it hard too, but my advice is to do what I did – put your own nights on, be someone else’s warm-up DJ and just get out there, play your music, showcase yourself, build up a following and be yourself. Play what your audience wants to hear.”

Breeze takes place at the Leas Bandstand in Folkestone on Sunday, June 1 from 11am, with the beachfront Rise starting before the main event at 9.30am.

Also, this weekend, Folkestone’s Harbour Arm will be putting on a series of free events to celebrate its 10th anniversary.

There will be live music, film screenings, street food and a fireworks display.