Birmingham’s Mostly Jazz Funk and Soul Festival line-up announced

Birmingham’s Mostly Jazz Funk and Soul Festival returns this summer with another incredible line-up on the cards.

The festival kicks off on Friday 8 July 202, and the organisers have now revealed which acts will be taking to the stage.

Taking place in Moseley Park and Pool, the festival continues to be one of the most popular events in Birmingham’s packed cultural calendar, attracting visitors from all over the UK.

Music-lovers will be able to enjoy three days of entertainment from a range of legendary acts.

Here is the line-up for the Mostly Jazz Funk and Soul Festival.

Friday

On the Friday, Midlands’ Two-Tone heroes The Specials headline the main stage, with their legendary blend of ska, reggae and punk rock.

They’ll be joined by Nightmares On Wax, taking to the decks on the Leftfoot Takeover Stage, as well as hip-hop turntablist DJ Yoda and Manchester soul project Children of Zeus, while up-and-coming artists Coops and Maya Delilah prove the future is very much in safe hands.

Completing the opening day’s bill are Tom Ford, Rosie Frater-Taylor, Hemai, Leftfoot DJs, and Juliet Echo and Selextorhood.

Saturday

Day two, on Saturday, 9 July 2022, sees the legendary American funk outfit The Fatback Band grabbing the headline slot.

Formed in 1970, the US band have revolutionised the worlds of dance, funk, soul, rap and R&B with hits like Backstrokin’, Do The Bus Stop, (Do The) Spanish Hustle and I Found Lovin’.

Saturday’s festival regular Craig Charles will also be hitting the decks with his ‘trunk of funk.’

Craig will also be compering the day’s entertainment, which includes appearances from Oh My God! It’s The Church, Secret Night Gang, Isabelle Brown, Sister Cookie, Toucan, The Atlantic Players, Freedom 35s, Ruth The Ark and more (with a special guest announcement for the Leftfoot Takeover Stage coming soon).

Sunday

The festival reaches its climax on Sunday (10 July 2022) with The Earth Wind and Fire Experience, featuring Grammy Award-winning guitarist and songwriter Al McKay, take to the stage performing such enduring hits as Boogie Wonderland, September and Fantasy.

Prior to their closing set, the festival welcomes much-loved American funk band Cameo, and true reggae legends The Wailers, as well as contemporary soul mistress Lady Blackbird.

Meanwhile, B:Music Jazzlines curate Sunday’s second stage, and Greg Wilson hits the decks over at the Leftfoot Takeover Stage.

What else is happening at the festival?

Visitors can get their teeth stuck into more than just music, and all weekend festival-goers can tuck into delicious food and drink from the well-stocked bars and independent street food vendors.

These include:

Beers from Purity Brewing and food from such award-winning favourites as Original Patty Men, Chakana, Bonehead, Tin Van Pizza, Bop Kebabs, English Indian, Vegeteria, Bournville Waffles and Shakes, Shepherd’s Ice Cream and Carnival Waffles. Something to suit all tastes!

Away from the main stages, Mostly also boasts a series of dance workshops with the likes of Birmingham Royal Ballet, Drum ‘n’ Bounce, Disco Yoga, So Funk, Northern Soul and others.

Plus, there’s a chance to dance the night away at two Official Mostly Jazz After Parties at the nearby Hare and Hounds, in Kings Heath.

“We’re so pleased to be back”

John Fell, Mostly’s Festival manager, said: “We’re so pleased to be back this year with a super-strong line-up of jazz, funk and soul, and – thanks to the inclusion of the mighty Wailers and Coventry’s The Specials – ska and reggae too.

“We’re especially looking forward to welcoming The Fatback Band and Cameo, who redefined funk and dance music in the 1970s-1980s, and helped lay the foundations for hip hop.”

Click here for information on tickets.

A message from the editor:

Thank you for reading. BirminghamWorld is Birmingham’s latest news website, championing everything that is great about our city - reporting on news, lifestyle and sport. We want to start a community among our readers, so please follow us on Facebook,Twitter and Instagram, and keep the conversation going.