Mostly Jazz, Funk & Soul Festival 2021

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Posted 2021-08-06 by David Vincent ⇒ follow

Fri 20 Aug 2021 - Sun 22 Aug 2021

Mostly Jazz Funk and Soul Festival is back for 2021.

Postponed last year, due to the pandemic, the festival was originally scheduled for July, but the delay in easing of restrictions resulted in an unexpected and swift date change to August 20-22.

Despite the sudden change, the festival has managed to retain and attract a host of big names for the three-day festival - which takes place in Moseley Park.

Here is our day-by-day must-sees:

Friday 20 August 2021

Cinematic Orchestra - Ninja Tune's jazz/ambient pioneers. Their 2007 album, Ma Fleur, is one of those records that hasn't aged, sounding as fresh today as it did 14 years ago. One of the highlights is undoubtedly To Build A Home, featuring Patrick Watson (and much favoured by TV and advert soundtrackers). The cinematic Orchestra last headlined the festival a decade ago, so it's about time they were back ...

The Comet Is Coming - How the hell do you describe The Comet Is Coming? The inclusion of Shabaka Hutchings (aka King Sabaka) and their fondness for improvising means they often get lumped into the 'jazz' pigeon hole, but The Comet is so much more. There's electronica, prog, futurism, alt-rock/ math-rock all in there, and that's just for starters. Storming!

Saturday 21 August 2021

Cymande - The history of 70s soul/funk is usually told from an American perspective. Which is an injustice to acts like the UK-based Cymande, who introduced Caribbean and African influences. They split in the mid-70s but were rediscovered by the rap/ sample generation, and have since reformed to great acclaim. Deservedly so.

Hannah Williams & The Affirmations - listen to that voice. You'd think they were on Daptone, eh? Nope. From Bristol. And among their fans is none other than Jay Z, who sampled Late Nights and Heartbreak for 4:44.

**Sunday 22 August 2021

Hot Chip Megamix** - A great British dance/ electronic band. Possibly one of the best this country's produced since the 1980s synthpop heyday. Arriving in their Megamix configuration, the Chipsters take DJ-ing to a new level, with live performance and classic tracks from their catalogue.

Mr Jukes and Barney The Artist - Mr Jukes is the side-project of Bombay Bicycle Club's Jack Steadman, who has now teamed up with London artist Barney The Artist. Incidentally, the track Check The Pulse features a guest vox from Kofi Stone, who's from Brum, and appears at the festival on Friday.

Friday 20 to Sunday 22 August 2021
Mostly Jazz Funk and Soul Festival
Moseley Park, 93b Alcester Road, Birmingham B13 8DD
Website: mostlyjazz.co.uk