There’s no playbook for keeping a small, independent festival alive for a decade, but Tropical Pressure has done it by holding its line. No corporate tie-ins, no easy programming wins. Just deep musical curation, a strong ecological backbone, and a sense of purpose that runs from the solar panels to the sound systems. Set on the cliffs above Porthtowan, the festival brings together artists from across Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean in a space that feels built, not bought.

2025 marks ten years since the first acts played the Eco Park. This year’s edition runs from 12 to 14 July and features musicians from 16 countries, threading together everything from Malian soul to Trinidadian soca, hand-built sound systems to breath-led dance sessions. There’s a new late-night venue, Skylarking, returning favourites like El Búho, and standout sets from high-octane soca duo Jus Now and Colombian livewires El Gato Negro, among others. A site-wide design scheme built around the idea of journeys ties the experience together. But what hasn’t changed is the focus: this is still a festival where children grow up with the music, where community shapes the atmosphere, and where the artists often come away just as moved as the crowd.

We spoke to Tim Stirrup, the festival’s co-founder and long-time programmer, who’s shaped its sound and ethos from the ground up. In this interview, he looks back on ten years of making space for music that holds memory and movement, talks about the risks and responsibilities of staying independent, sketches out where Tropical Pressure could go next — sonically, socially and structurally — and the one dream booking he keeps chasing: “I contact Manu Chao every year. It hasn’t happened yet. But it will.”

This is the festival’s 10th anniversary. How has the vision for Tropical Pressure evolved over the past decade, and what does this milestone represent to you personally and professionally?

The vision has always been to bring people together and showcase the beauty and richness of cultures through music, dance, storytelling, workshops and food. The music programming is central, from the first act on Friday to the last act on Sunday, often featuring artists and sounds many people have never encountered before. This year, we have music from 16 countries including Mali, Réunion, Benin, Trinidad, Peru, Colombia, Jamaica and more. What’s changed is the level of support we’ve received from the local community and council, who understand the value it brings to Cornwall. It feels more important than ever to gather as a community and show solidarity with people across the globe. What binds us together isn’t just music. It’s a shared sense of humanity. I also love seeing the children who’ve grown up with the festival. Many of them look forward to it as much as their parents do.

This 10-year milestone feels like a real achievement. We’ve sustained an independent grassroots festival with such quality. Personally, being recognised as a cultural ambassador for Cornwall by Arts Council England is a pretty cool moment.

Tropical Pressure is rooted in its Cornish surroundings at the Eco Park in Porthtowan. How has this unique setting influenced the festival’s identity and the way audiences engage with the music and each other?

Having the festival overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, set within the Cornish landscape, is incredibly special. The first thing people see as they enter the camping fields is the ocean and the old Cornish tin mines. It’s breathtaking. The stress of everyday life fades as the natural beauty takes over. That’s what the artists see too as they go on or leave the main stage. It creates a sense of presence. People engage with one another on a more emotional level. The landscape brings that out.

What have you done differently for this year’s edition to mark the 10th anniversary? Any special commissions, collaborative performances or unexpected immersive elements?

We’ve got a special Thursday night opening party with an all-star cast of DJs, headlined by El Búho. The décor is themed around the 10th anniversary and the idea of journeys. Limited edition anniversary T-shirts and merch will be on sale. We’ve also brought back some of our favourite artists from over the years. Plus, we’re introducing a new late-night venue called Skylarking. It really has to be experienced rather than explained.

Looking back, which artist performance best encapsulated the spirit of Tropical Pressure, where music, people and place came together in a way that was unforgettable?

That’s a tough one. Three performances really stand out. Totó la Momposina from Colombia performed alongside her daughters and granddaughters, delivering a deep-rooted set about the ocean and nature. I couldn’t believe our luck. Then Vaudou Game, who spoke about voodoo meaning love, just as sea mist curled around the stage. It still gives me goosebumps. And BCUC. The energy between the band and the audience was unreal. I could go on. There have been so many magical, unique moments.

This year’s line-up draws again from across Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. Which artists are you especially excited to host in 2025, and what do they bring to the Tropical Pressure landscape?

I’m really looking forward to Rokia Koné, our first artist from Mali. She has a distinctive, powerful voice. A true star in Mali and, I think, soon to be everywhere else.

Are there any lesser-known or emerging artists performing this year that you feel could be festival favourites in the making?

I think El Gato Negro are going to be sensational. Jus Now from Trinidad bring a high-energy take on contemporary soca. And Bel Cobain. Definitely a star in the making.

If budget and logistics weren’t a concern, who would be your dream artist to headline a future Tropical Pressure, and what would that performance look like in your mind’s eye?

Manu Chao. I contact him every year to see if he might play Tropical Pressure. It hasn’t happened yet, but it will. He’s a man of the people and would fit right in.

Tropical Pressure doesn’t just present music, it opens up cultural worlds. Which musical traditions or regional scenes are still on your radar to explore more deeply in future editions?

Hand-built sound systems have become a key part of the festival. I’d love to dive deeper into the pico sound system culture from Colombia. Also the changüí music of Cuba.

What collaborative or participatory side-projects are returning this year, and how do they contribute to the festival’s cultural mission?

Breath Beats is returning. It combines breath-work with specially curated DJ sets. This year Sir Vinyl will be joined by special guest K.O.G, bringing Ghanaian traditions and storytelling into the mix.

How do these off-stage elements, whether DJ sessions, movement workshops or food rituals, help build dialogue between global traditions and the local Cornish community?

They help us understand what we share. A great example is the singing workshops. Local facilitators and choir leaders join in and expand their repertoire, then take that experience back into their Cornish groups.

How do you balance the vibrancy and energy of a full weekend of live music with the responsibility to care for the natural environment of Eco Park?

We’re lucky that our audience shares that sense of responsibility. People get involved in the environmental initiatives we’ve put in place and take it seriously. It’s part of the festival’s DNA. Leave no trace.

Can you walk us through some of the specific measures you take to reduce the festival’s ecological footprint, from power use and waste management to sourcing and partnerships?

Every aspect of the festival’s environmental impact is considered. We’ve broken it down into three areas:

Transport – We use local suppliers, run shuttle buses from the train station and support car shares. We avoid booking artists who fly in just for one show.

Consumption – Our power needs are met by a 10kW wind turbine and 12kW solar array, which power food traders and late-night venues. All food is 100% plant-based. No single-use items.

Waste – It’s all about waste separation, recycling and guests leaving no trace. That’s working well. But it’s always a work in progress. We keep improving every year.

Which artist or moment over the past ten years has best reflected Tropical Pressure’s ethos, perhaps not the biggest name but the deepest impact?

So many artists really get what Tropical Pressure is about. They feel it the moment they arrive. It’s not just a performance. It’s about becoming part of a community. I love seeing artists come off stage absolutely buzzing. Sidestepper playing Supernatural Love was phenomenal. You could feel something shift between the band and the audience. Elkin Robinson brought his daughter on stage last year. He really connected with the crowd. Totó la Momposina again, with three generations of her family. So many moments have moved me and the crowd deeply.

Looking ahead, are there voices, whether indigenous artists, grassroots activists or storytellers, you’re hoping to bring into the fold to deepen the festival’s cultural and ecological conversations?

There’s so much exciting talent in East Africa, and we’re hoping to collaborate more there. I’m also interested in the connection between music and the natural world. Artists like El Búho (who’s performing this year), making music from birdsong. Auntie Flo and his bioelectrical work. Plants Can Dance, Mushroom Magic – all examples of how music can speak across worlds.

Where do you see Tropical Pressure heading over the next five years? What would you love to achieve in terms of both community connection and international collaboration?

I’d love for the festival to find firmer financial footing, maybe through Arts Council support. We’re fiercely independent and don’t take on sponsorship, but with rising costs that’s tough. The landscape has changed. People want more than just a party. They’re looking for deeper, more nourishing experiences. That’s what Tropical Pressure has always aimed to offer.

If you had to step into full PR mode for a moment, how would you personally invite our readers to come and experience Tropical Pressure this year? What would you say to convince someone who’s never been before?

Tropical Pressure is something special. The landscape, the music, the people, it’s unique and genuine. I’d love for you to join us in this beautiful corner of the world. It’s inclusive and relaxed, especially for families. You can book a pitch in family camping and park right next to your tent. Watching the sun set over the ocean while music swirls around you is magic. After dark, the DJs take over across four late-night venues: Enchanted Dancehall, Jupiter’s Yard, Skylarking and the Fly-by-Night silent disco. There’s so much to explore. It’s good for the soul. It restores your faith in humanity. Essential.

Celebrate a decade of Tropical Pressure with three days of music, movement and coastal magic.
Grab your tickets via the festival website & step into the rhythm rising from the Cornish cliffs!