Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul Festival sets its sights on 2027 after a joyful 17th edition

Each July, a leafy private park in Moseley becomes one of the friendliest festival sites in the country. The Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul Festival returned for its 17th edition from 10 to 12 July 2026, and organisers have already announced that the next instalment will run from 9 to 11 July 2027.

The setting is a big part of the appeal. Moseley Park is an 11-acre woodland glade about two miles from Birmingham city centre, where sloping grounds form a natural amphitheatre in front of a lake. The festival describes itself as "A diverse, vibrant jazz festival, celebrating ground-breaking, innovative UK music alongside international trailblazers."

The 2026 line-up lived up to that promise. Friday night's headliners were Fabio & Grooverider with The Outlook Orchestra, in what the festival called a celebration of jungle and drum'n'bass. Jordan Rakei topped the bill on Saturday, and American soul singer Jalen Ngonda closed the weekend on Sunday. Festival manager John Fell was clearly a fan, saying: "Jalen Ngonda is one of the best soul voices there is."

Further down the bill were Thee Sacred Souls, Soul II Soul and Cymande, with DJ sets from Hot Chip, Goldie and Nightmares On Wax. Sampa The Great, Emma-Jean Thackray and the Mississippi gospel disco soul family band Annie & The Caldwells also appeared, as did Craig Charles, described by music magazine God Is In The TV as a "perennial Mostly favourite".

The atmosphere matters as much as the music, and God Is In The TV praised the festival for its warm, welcoming and inclusive environment. That spirit has helped it become, in the same magazine's words, "one of the highlights on the UK's festival calendar".

The festival also has deep roots in the city's music community, with partners including B:Music, Jazz FM, Visit Birmingham and West Midlands Railway.

For anyone already planning next summer, the festival's free membership offers early news, competitions and access to Super Early Bird tickets for 2027.

Line-up announcements, tickets and travel information are on the Mostly Jazz website.