SUNDAY HEADLINER REVEALED: Kool & The Gang

Tickets on sale Friday 8 December 2023, 10AM.

More acts to be announced soon

Mostly Jazz Funk and Soul Festival have revealed their first artists for 2024’s festival.

US pioneers Kool & The Gang, DJ Craig Charles, Leeds/London collective Nubiyan Twist and emerging songwriter Cherise are among the artists who’ll be making their way to Birmingham for the acclaimed annual festival – which runs from Friday 12 to Sunday 14 July 2024.

After playing together for several years under various names, Kool & The Gang officially launched in 1969. Performing a blend of jazz, funk and soul, the Jersey City natives made an impact with such tracks as Jungle Boogie and Funky Stuff, going on to amass over 20 UK chart singles, including Ladies Night, Too Hot, Celebration, Get Down On It, Steppin’ Out, and Joanna. They’ve also appeared on numerous film soundtracks (including the mega-selling Saturday Night Fever and Pulp Fiction albums), while key cuts have been sampled by everyone from Madonna, Janet Jackson and Lady Gaga, to Jay-Z, Dre, 2Pac and Nas.

Kool & The Gang’s headline spot closes the festival on Sunday night.

The ‘Maestro of Funk’, DJ Craig Charles (Sunday) is a firm Mostly favourite, with appearances at the festival stretching back to 2011. His regular sets are guaranteed to push the party vibe up a level (or two) as he drops massive hits and cult bangers. An actor, poet and presenter, Charles’ regular BBC 6Music show has been a mainstay of the station since it launched, and sees the DJ champion the very best in soul and funk, with classic tracks, new releases and sessions.

Drawing on jazz, hip-hop, Afrobeat, Latin, soul, reggae and dance music, the nine-piece Nubiyan Twist (Sunday) are renowned for their thrilling musicianship. Lead by Tom Excell, the band are currently preparing for the release of their fourth album (due spring 2024), which features the track So Mi Stay and marks a significant evolution for the group, adding Patois and R&B vocals to their sound.

Named by Clash magazine as “one of the women raising the bar for Soul and Jazz in the UK”, Cherise (Sunday) is a much sought-after emerging young soul singer and songwriter. Having previously collaborated with Nubiyan Twist, the former Jazz FM Vocalist Of The Year recently released her debut album, Calling – a collection of emotive, and deeply moving explorations of family, romantic love and growing into your truest self.

Discussing the announcement, John Fell, Mostly Jazz Funk and Soul Festival Manager said: “We can’t wait to see Kool & The Gang close 2024’s festival. With a back catalogue that spans over 50 years and includes everything from smooth pop hits to dirty funk, they’re one of the pioneers of R&B/jazz, and have had a huge influence on music.

“With Nubiyan Twist, Cherise and Craig all joining us too, 2024’s festival is already shaping up to be a great line-up.

“Look out for further artist exciting additions in the New Year, including a few surprises.”

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.