JAMES LAVELLE | MR SCRUFF | DAWN RICHARD | MUNGO’S HI FI | JAMES HUNTER | RYAN HOPE + MORE
Leftfield, Yussef Dayes and The Blackbyrds are among the headline acts set to join the previously announced Kool and The Gang at Mostly Jazz Funk and Soul Festival (Friday 12 to Sunday 14 July 2024).
Other acts heading to the Birmingham festival’s main stages include Mo’Wax and Unkle’s James Lavelle (DJ set), Mr Scruff, Glaswegian soundsystem Mungo’s Hi Fi with Marina P, Grammy-nominated James Hunter, primordial groovers Thumpasaurus, New Orleans’ dynamo Dawn Richard, and Ezra Collective’s Ife Ogunjobi.
Formed in 1988, Leftfield (Friday) quickly became one of the most influential and innovative dance music acts of all time. 1995’s Leftism and 1999’s Rhythm and Stealth were both Mercury Music Prize nominees, solidifying their position as true pioneers.
Revered multi-instrumentalist, producer and composer Yussef Dayes‘ (Saturday) debut solo album, Black Classical Music, made an instant impact when it dropped last autumn, prompting two BRIT Award nominations (for best new Artist and Best Alternative Act). Yussef is widely recognised as one of the most electrifying live performers of his generation.
Assembled by legendary Donald Byrd in 1973, The Blackbyrds (Saturday) laid the foundations for the jazz-funk movement. With such tracks as Do It Fluid, Walking In Rhythm, Happy Music and the iconic Rock Creek Park, their music has been widely sampled by such acts as De La Soul and Massive Attack. Recently celebrating their 50th anniversary, their line-up is led by original members Keith Killgo and Joe Hall.
Other acts heading to Mostly Jazz include Ryan Hope (one third of Gabriels), multi-instrumentalist corto.alto, Jorja Smith labelmates Bricknasty, Canadian hip hop collective Super Duty Tough Work, London-based soul ensemble Wonder 45, and Luke Una, plus leading West Midlanders Leftfoot (hosting their own stage), Neone The Wonderer, The Atlantic Players, Ella More, Isla Wolfe, and Alex Polack.
They join the already announced Sunday headliners Kool and The Gang, along with DJ Craig Charles, and Nubiyan Twist.
John Fell, Mostly Jazz’s Festival Manager, said: “With one of the most influential electronic acts, Leftfield, opening on Friday, the BRIT nominated Yussef Dayes with us on Saturday, with the legendary R&B/funk pioneers Kool and The Gang closing on Sunday, we have one of the most varied Mostly Jazz line-ups so far.
“And we still have a couple special guests to announce yet – so keep an eye out for news on those soon.”
Set in the idyllic Moseley Park, just two miles outside of Birmingham city centre, Mostly Jazz Funk and Soul Festival has built a strong reputation for presenting iconic and up-and-coming artists in an intimate outdoor setting.
Mostly Jazz Funk and Soul Festival runs from Friday 12 to Sunday 14 July 2024 at Moseley Park and Pool, Moseley, Birmingham. Tickets on sale from Friday 23 February 2024, 10am. See: mostlyjazz.co.ukLISTINGS
Friday 12 to Sunday 14 July 2024
Mostly Jazz Funk and Soul Festival
Moseley Park and Pool, 93b Alcester Road, Birmingham B13 8DD
Website: mostlyjazz.co.uk
Social media:
facebook.com/mostlyjazz
x.com/mostly_jazz
instagram.com/mostly_jazz/
#mostlyjazz
Tickets:
Adult Day: £65 + booking fees
Under 18 Day: £32 + booking fees
Family Day: £160 + booking fees
Adult Weekend: £169 + booking fees
Family Weekend: £370 + booking fees
Under 18 Weekend: £65 + booking fees
Under 12: Free
FRIDAY 12 JULY 2024
Leftfield
Dawn Richard
James Lavelle (DJ set)
Ryan Hope (Gabriels)
Mr Scruff
Bricknasty
Ella More
NBHD House Band x Neone The Wonderer
Leftfoot presents: Official After Party
Fila Brazillia (DJ set) + guests
Hare and Hounds, Kings Heath, Birmingham
SATURDAY 13 JULY 2024
Yussef Dayes
The Blackbyrds
Thumpasaurus
Luke Una
Homoelectric
The Atlantic Players
Sofia Grant
Super Duty Tough Work
Knats
Ashley Allen & Friends
Isla Wolfe
Band: Together
Leftfoot presents: Official After Party
Leftfoot Allstars + guests
Hare and Hounds, Kings Heath, Birmingham
SUNDAY 14 JULY 2024
Kool and The Gang
Craig Charles
Mungo’s HiFi x Marina P
Nubiyan Twist
James Hunter
Cherise
Ife Ogunjobi
Wonder 45
corto.alto
The Filthy Six
Ni Maxine
The Alex Polack Quartet and The Ibaia String Quartet
Further artists to be announced.
ABOUT MOSTLY JAZZ FUNK AND SOUL FESTIVAL
Debuting in 2010, Mostly Jazz Funk and Soul Festival is a diverse, vibrant festival, celebrating ground-breaking, innovative UK music alongside international trailblazers. Held in Moseley Park, a stunning 11-acre woodland glade in the heart of Moseley Village, the festival is just two miles from the centre of Birmingham, yet is a world away from city life. With sloping grounds, creating a natural amphitheatre in front of the beautiful lake, it’s the perfect setting for a festival. Each year Mostly Jazz Funk and Soul brings incredible artists, workshops, arts, crafts, and a selection of Birmingham’s most loved street food and drinks vendors to Moseley, for one epic party weekend.
Previous headliners include Chic feat. Nile Rodgers, Public Enemy, Gregory Porter, Chaka Khan, De La Soul, Bonobo, The Specials, The Wailers, Goldie, Fat Freddy’s Drop and KC and The Sunshine Band.