Mostly Jazz Festival 2026: Sizzling performances, soulful sets and plenty of sunshine
Birmingham’s Mostly Jazz Funk and Soul Festival 2026 wrapped up on Sunday (12 July) after three days of sizzling performances, including headline sets from Fabio and Grooverider and the Outlook Orchestra, Jordan Rakei and Jalen Ngonda.
Opening day (Friday 10 July 2026) saw the boutique summer festival welcome Jazzie B’s R&B powerhouse Soul II Soul, Hot Chip’s Joe Goddard and Alexis Taylor (with an upbeat DJ set), and London vocalist Olympia Vitalis (whose Lady Luck EP dropped the same day). But the night belonged to drum’n’bass thanks to a site-packing DJ set from pioneer Goldie followed by a sweeping history of the genre from scene-setters Fabio and Grooverider. Joined by the Outlook Orchestra and guests including Cleveland Watkiss MBE, Kele Le Roc and Jenna G, the duo praised their on-stage musicians, whose tight epic performance brought a newfound energy to a genre that had once been viewed as unplayable live.
Craig Charles made an always welcomed return behind the decks on Saturday afternoon (11 July 2026), along with a stirring soulful appearance from Mississippi family band Annie and The Caldwells, charismatic Zambian Sampa The Great, and Kiwi headliner Jordan Rakei. Delivering a career-spanning set, which included his new single Enemies (out Wednesday), Rakei – like other artists throughout the day – played slightly earlier than originally intended to ensure festival-goers were able catch a full day of music before England’s late night World Cup Quarter Final against Norway.
Meanwhile Mostly Jazz’s final day, Sunday (12 July 2026), enjoyed stand-out performances from vocalist James Emmanuel and Jazz FM Award-winning multi-instrumentalist/ producer Emma-Jean Thackray, before wrapping up with the classic smooth late-60s/early-70s influenced soulful vibes of Australian Don West and US Daptone Records artists Thee Sacred Souls and.Jalen Ngonda.
Away from the main stages, the festival also saw a consistently packed Leftfoot tent, where Nightmares On Wax and Quantic delivered exceptional sets to enthusiastic dancers, while Jazz FM broadcast directly from the site over Saturday and Sunday – with artist interviews and appearances, including a Secret Session from Olive Jones.
With the UK’s third heatwave continuing, Mostly Jazz Festival site temperatures peaked on Friday at 33°C (one degree higher than 2025’s festival). In response, festival organisers swiftly added extra marquee cover to the Off Piste/ Leftfoot Stage for additional shade, and doubled the number of water refill points across the site, as well as making free sugar-free squash available for children. Advice to festival-goers on keeping hydrated, and arriving with appropriate clothing, hats and sunscreen, was also issued.
Discussing the three-day Birmingham music festival, co-founder/co-Director Gerv Havill, said: “The 16th edition of Mostly Jazz Funk and Soul Festival was musically one of our best ever, with such a great atmosphere. Cymande were fantastic, as were Emma-Jean Thackray, Jordan Rakei, Soul II Soul and festival favourites The Atlantic Players.”
Jazz FM’s Tony Minvielle added: “The combination of a quality laden line-up, coupled with some amazing music, and a loving switched on crowd has made Mostly Jazz Festival 2026 the gift that keeps on giving. Roll on 2027.”
The 17th edition of Mostly Jazz Funk and Soul Festival will return to Moseley Park, Birmingham, from Friday 9 to Sunday 11 July 2027. Limited Tier One tickets are on sale now for 2026 ticket-holders and newsletter subscribers, and on General Sale from Friday 17 July 2026. For more information, see: mostlyjazz.co.uk.
