The UK’s largest street art festival returns to Southend in August 2025, featuring acclaimed muralist JEKS and transforming over 100 city walls into vibrant works of art, promising a renewed cultural celebration and a boost to local tourism.
The Southend City Jam, heralded as the UK’s largest street art festival, is poised to return from August 29 to 31, 2025, infusing the city centre, seafront, and pier with a striking display of artistic expression. Now in its fourth edition, the festival is set to transform over 100 walls into vibrant canvases, showcasing the talents of hundreds of artists from across the globe. This year's event is particularly notable for the return of acclaimed graffiti and mural artist JEKS, widely recognised for his hyper-realistic artistry.
JEKS, whose real name is Brian Lewis, began his artistic career in the 1990s, initially focusing on traditional tagging and lettering techniques. Over time, he has evolved his style to create intricate murals that are celebrated for their meticulous detail and smooth colour gradients. His work exemplifies a level of craftsmanship that resonates within the street art community. At the last festival, in 2023, he gained significant recognition for his mural "Kenny Dub," a striking monochromatic portrait located in the Clarence Road car park. This piece exemplifies his distinctive style and contributed to the festival's growing reputation as a hub for high-quality street art.
The return of JEKS to the Southend City Jam underscores the festival's commitment to attracting world-class talent. According to Cllr Matt Dent, the cabinet member responsible for business, culture, music, and tourism, the excitement surrounding JEKS's participation is palpable. He remarked, “I’m so excited to see such an amazing event return to our city, spearheaded by the incredibly talented and sought after JEKS from the USA. Street art is an art form that absolutely everyone can enjoy.” Dent also expressed confidence that the festival will not only enhance visitor numbers but also foster a vibrant atmosphere and create a legacy of artwork that enhances civic pride.
The Southend City Jam serves as a platform for artists to showcase their skills and connect with the community, celebrating the cultural diversity and creative spirit of street art. With hundreds of artists expected to participate, attendees will be treated to a wide array of styles and themes, each piece contributing to the lively tapestry of street art that defines Southend.
As the festival approaches, anticipation is building around how it will further illuminate the city’s cultural landscape and foster a deeper appreciation for street art among both locals and visitors. The event’s legacy continues to flourish, leaving an enduring mark on Southend’s streets.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The Southend City Jam is scheduled for August 29 to 31, 2025, with artist applications closing on May 2, 2025. ([southend.gov.uk](https://www.southend.gov.uk/news/article/3310/artist-applications-open-for-southend-city-jam-2025?utm_source=openai)) The report mentions JEKS's participation, aligning with the festival's timeline. However, the report was published on May 23, 2025, which is close to the application deadline, suggesting the information is current. No evidence of recycled content or significant discrepancies was found. The report appears to be based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No earlier versions with different figures, dates, or quotes were identified. The inclusion of updated data alongside older material does not significantly affect the freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The report includes a quote from Cllr Matt Dent, Cabinet Member for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Business, expressing excitement about JEKS's participation. A search for this quote reveals it was first used in a press release dated March 20, 2025. ([southend.gov.uk](https://www.southend.gov.uk/news/article/3310/artist-applications-open-for-southend-city-jam-2025?utm_source=openai)) The wording matches the report's quote, indicating the quote is reused. No variations in wording were found, and no earlier usage of the quote was identified.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The report originates from Yellow Advertiser, a local news outlet in Southend-on-Sea. While it is a local source, it is not as widely recognized as national or international media. The report cites a press release from Southend-on-Sea City Council, which is a reputable source. However, the reliance on a single source for the quote from Cllr Matt Dent raises some concerns about the diversity of information.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The report's claims about the Southend City Jam's schedule and JEKS's participation are plausible and align with other sources. The festival's dates and application deadline are consistent with official information. The quote from Cllr Matt Dent is consistent with the press release dated March 20, 2025. No supporting details from other reputable outlets were found, which slightly reduces the score. The language and tone are appropriate for the region and topic. The structure is focused and relevant, with no excessive or off-topic detail. The tone is formal and consistent with official communications.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The report provides current and plausible information about the Southend City Jam and JEKS's participation. The reliance on a single source for the quote from Cllr Matt Dent is noted, but overall, the report appears credible.
