Graffiti battles, breakdancing and a celebration of hip-hop culture: Street Heat festival returns to Salford

Declared “the North’s No.1 free street culture festival” by organiser Russell Meehan, Street Heat is set to return to Salford this week.

Street Heat, an annual festival hosted by Unity Radio,  is making its return this Saturday, October 4th at Graystone Action Sports venue on Brunel Avenue.

The festival began as a fundraiser and tribute for Dominic Hespe, the former owner of a Manchester-based trainer consignment store who lost his battle with inoperable cancer in 2021.

Early Street Heat publicity links the event to raising awareness and funds for Bowel Cancer UK, The Christie Hospital and the ‘Never too young campaign – an initiative working to build awareness around diagnosis, treatment and support for people affected by bowel cancer.

The Salford-based festival, which first began in 2022, has been an annual tradition ever since, turning grief into a celebration of the area’s rich street culture.

Activities include speed graffiti and break dancing for those in attendance to enjoy.

One of Street Heat’s main draws is ‘The Bomb Masters speed graffiti painting battle’ where 11 competitors engage in a speed graffiti competition for the chance to secure a £350 prize.

Meehan helps out with the speed battle being a graffiti artist himself, he spoke about the safe place the festival gives graffiti artists: “All the artists use the colours and paint in a slightly different way, which sets them off from each other and that’s how the judges know who they want to go through.”

Each round will consist of around six minutes with the artists being given different angles to take and two people go out every round until there is a winner.

“Artists get about five cans per round so each piece will be coloured in quite differently. It’s a chance for these guys to show what they can do in such a short amount of time.”

The festival has all of the elements of the hip-hop culture.

“The main four elements are graffiti, breakdancing, mcing and djing.”

Following on from this, it is an opportunity for people to learn more about different cultures while also have a good time.

Street Heat is an event where everyone is welcome free of charge, only having to pay for food and drink if they want it.

Unity Radio is hosting the festival at Graystone Action Sports, M5 4BE.