Birmingham’s Mostly Jazz Funk and Soul Festival is back this August with a top-flight line-up of big names, classic artists and brand new regional talent.
Rescheduled from July, the festival runs from Friday 20 and Sunday 22 August 2021 and opens with a headline set from The Cinematic Orchestra who last headlined the event 10 years ago. They’re joined by Maribou State (DJ set), the Mercury Prize nominated jazz/ electronic/ psych/ trio The Comet Is Coming, and the equally lauded Nubya Garcia, whose debut album, Source, featured prominently in numerous end-of-year polls.
Day two finds 1970s British funk heroes Cymande, the crowd-pleasing Craig Charles, the always entertaining The Cuban Brothers, and the powerfully voiced Hannah Williams and The Affirmations taking to the stage.
The festival concludes on Sunday in spectacular fashion with Mr Jukes and Barney The Artist (a new collaboration featuring Bombay Bicycle Club’s Jack Steadman), and Hot Chip’s unique DJ-meets-performance concept, Hot Chip Megamix. US R&B legend Jocelyn Brown and New York disco hitmakers Odyssey also appear.
Across the weekend, you can also catch several stars of the West Midlands music scene, including Kofi Stone, Lady Sanity, Call Me Unique and Xhosa Cole – who’s earned three major national jazz awards in three years (BBC Young Jazz Musician 2018; Newcomer, Parliamentary Jazz Award 2019; and Breakthrough Act, Jazz FM Award 2020).
Featuring music across three stages, plus an array of bars and food vendors, the festival will be operating under Covid-safe guidelines and at a reduced capacity.
John Fell, Mostly Jazz’s Festival Manager, said: “After the Government shifted the dates for the lifting of restrictions we moved fast to ensure we could reschedule, with many of the artists working with us to ensure they could appear. We are stoked to have some Mostly favourites back with us – including The Cinematic Orchestra, Cymande and Odyssey – and also some great acts making their Mostly debuts, such as Hot Chip Megamix and Jocelyn Brown.”
“We’re keen to ensure that everyone attending will feel safe and secure at the festival. With that in mind we’re operating at under-capacity, to make sure there’s more space, and also asking all visitors – whether they’re enjoying the music in the park, or working with us – to only attend if they feel well.”
“Mostly 2021 will be such a party, but we’d like to ensure everyone coming has the best time they can, and still feels safe and secure, and mindful of those around them.”
Mostly Jazz Funk and Soul Festival
Moseley Park, 93b Alcester Road, Birmingham B13 8DD
Friday 20 to Sunday 22 August 2021
For tickets and more information, see: mostlyjazz.co.uk
– FRIDAY 20 AUGUST 2021 –
The Cinematic Orchestra, Maribou State (DJ set), The Comet Is Coming, Nubya Garcia, Kofi Stone, Lady Sanity, Boca 45 – Yakul – Sipho – Call Me Unique – Theo – Selextorhood and many more.
– SATURDAY 21 AUGUST 2021 –
Cymande, Craig Charles (DJ set), The Cuban Brothers, Hannah Williams and The Affirmations, Steve Cobby (Fila Brazillia, DJ set), Sam Redmore and The Tropical Soundclash Allstars,
Freedom 35s, Adam Shelton, Matt Beck B2B Adam Regan (Leftfoot), Ebi Soda, Lili Casey, Madi Saskia, The Little Easy Band, Metz Jnr Band, The Pimp Souls, Trieste (Voyage DJs) and many more
– SUNDAY 22 AUGUST 2021 –
Mr Jukes & Barney The Artist, Hot Chip Megamix, Jocelyn Brown, Odyssey, Crazy P (live), The, Allergies (DJ set), Xhosa Cole, Lekan Bablola’s Scared Funk Quintet, Bigheadmode, Joybang, Lebo, Alicaia Gardener Trejo and many more
Tickets:
Per Day: £55.50 (adult); £23.75 (U16)
Fri/Sat or Sat/Sun: £55.50 (adult); £39.65 (U16)
Weekend (3 days): £133.50 (adult); £57 (U16)
Prices include booking fees.