Birmingham’s Mostly Jazz Funk and Soul Festival is back this August with a top-flight line-up of big names, classic artists and new talent.
With lockdown restrictions eased, you won’t want to miss the return of The Mostly Jass Funk & Soul Festival coming to the West Midlands this summer!
This years line-up
Rescheduled from July, the festival runs from Friday 20 to Sunday 22 August 2021 and opens with a headline set from The Cinematic Orchestra (who last appeared at Mostly 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 2020 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.
Hannah Williams & The Affirmations
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 – the young saxophonist 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).
Xhosa Cole
Featuring music across three stages, as well as well-stocked 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.
“There’s some firm 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 the legendary Jocelyn Brown.”
The Cinematic Orchestra
Discussing the impact of the pandemic, John stated: “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, while still feeling safe and secure, and being mindful of those around them.”
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Mostly Jazz Funk and Soul Festival takes place from Friday 20 to Sunday 22 August 2021 at Moseley Park, Moseley, Birmingham.
For tickets and more information click HERE
