Meet Finn Sexton: Headline Performer at Community RunFest Rayleigh

Singer-songwriter, community champion and the headline act closing the Community Festival stage.

We're delighted to welcome Finn Sexton as the headline performer at the Community Festival during Community RunFest Rayleigh.

A talented singer-songwriter from South Fambridge, Finn has been performing from a young age, building a reputation through busking, touring the UK as a solo artist and fronting indie band Monumental. Alongside his music career, Finn is passionate about supporting young musicians and local communities, serving as an Ambassador for Tonic Music for Mental Health and helping create opportunities for the next generation through live music events.

Ahead of his headline performance on Sunday 12th July, we caught up with Finn to talk about music, community and why events like Community RunFest are so important.

Tell us a little about yourself and what people can expect from your performance at Community RunFest Rayleigh

I’m a singer-songwriter from down the road in South Fambridge. I’ve been performing in public since I was 12 - I used to busk in Southend most Saturdays, trying out my latest songs whilst battling seagulls and the occasional gust of wind.

I now tour the UK either as a soloist or as the frontman of Monumental. I’m also an Ambassador for Tonic Music for Mental Health which is a mental health charity for musicians and music lovers and with Monumental I’ve been instrumental in setting up the Teenage Kicks Club Nights in Westcliff, bringing live music to the next generation. 

At Community Run-Fest, I’ll bring just my voice and guitar but I’ll also try to bring some energy. You can expect an hour of sing-along Brit-pop and Indie classics. 

What do you enjoy most about performing at community events and bringing people together through music?

There’s nothing better than seeing people enjoying your music. Monumental are the house band at Teenage Kicks and I’ve loved watching a proper little community grow there. One minute people are standing around awkwardly, the next they’re chatting and enjoying the bands, singing along and dancing, making friends. A shared love of music helps to break the ice and connects people.

I get asked to do a lot of charity gigs but I was keen to get involved with this one because this will be more than just a race or two. It’s about health, good vibes and the community. Also, cancer has sadly affected my family quite a bit so I’m really happy to support a fantastic charity like Gold Geese.

Getting the runners, their supporters and local businesses all hanging out in one place with music thrown in too - what’s not to love about that!

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Why do you think events like Community RunFest are important for local communities, and what are you most looking forward to on the day?

Events like these are great because they get people moving and involved in something positive. My mum has run a few races in the past and she always jokes that she came last every single time. (She did!) But she also says that hearing the crowds cheering and the music around the event is what kept her going when her legs were telling her to give up.

I'm really honoured to have been asked to perform and I'm looking forward to headlining the Community Festival on the day. After all the running is done, it will be great to help bring everyone together to celebrate their achievements, enjoy the atmosphere and round off what promises to be a fantastic community event.

If a few songs can help put a smile on people's faces and keep the good vibes going, then I'm happy to do my bit.