Mostly Jazz Festival

One of the most traditional festivals in Birmingham, Mostly Jazz Festival should be a compulsory item in your bucket list. It’s an incredible event and a wonderful way of getting closer to what Moseley village is in fact.
This is a very lively part of Birmingham. Many culture events, fairs and concerts are held in Moseley pubs, cafés and spaces open to art, in general.
Such an eclectic festival like this wouldn’t be held in a better place. I have been to Mostly Jazz Festival last year and it was the best choice in leisure for a very hot summer in Brum. The weather was amazing, which helped to enjoy the concerts outside.
Moseley park is gorgeous and it has to be highlighted all amazing job done by the local community that keep the place preserved.
Food and drinks are not a problem in the area. The festival itself caters for the public with plenty of choice. From curry to a simple ice cream for the kids. Refreshments and alcoholic drinks are also sold inside the venue.
By if you want to have a look around, Moseley have plenty of bars, restaurants and cafés available and open during the whole three days of events. Sometimes it’s much better to go for these places for a meal. We had more options of food and also caught up with the news about Wimbledon (in the pubs) because the Festival is held at the same time the tournament is on. And what a vibe in the village.
2013 edition was pretty especial because we could see the legend Nile Rodgers (and Chic) at the main stage of the festival and the experience was unique indeed. One of the best gigs I ever seen and according to Nile, one of the best audiences he had. (You’re welcome!).
Mostly Jazz Festival is for everyone. families, young and elderly ones. Everybody in the same vibe, enjoying sunshine (if you are lucky) and nice music. it is great to see kids running in the park with parents sharing their Pimm’s without being worried about their security. It’s a big family festival indeed. And everyone is more than welcome.
After the gigs, transport is not a problem. Buses are running until late in the trajectory back to the city centre (takes 10 minutes or less). But if you are young and still want to party, Moseley pubs and bars are going to be there to help you carrying on the night.
I love it. And I think Birmingham should be proud of such a great event.
If you still don’t have the tickets for the event this year, hurry up! It’s on days 11 – 13 of July!

The British festival market has become some what crowded in the last few years. As recorded music sales fell, live music was seen as the way to make up for the profit shortage, and it seems as though quite a few organisers got greedy, investing money in projects that were overpriced and left the punter feeling short changed.
Despite all this going on around it, Mostly Jazz maintains a distinct identity, growing each year to the point of offering undeniably killer headliners at this year’s festival (Sly and the Family Stone, Funkadelic and Roots Manuva anyone?). It’s a non camping festival, which is probably semi improvised, syncopated music to some people’s ears, but personally I’m quite into the mass delirium that spending four nights on a festival site can bring.
The lesser known acts lower down the bill are also highly respected, and the setting (Moseley’s gorgeous private park), is undeniably beautiful. The only minor criticism I’ve got is that it has got a bit crowded in recent years. However, if the genres and acts mentioned above appeal to you, you really ought to consider attending.

The forthcoming Moseley Jazz Festival fills me with intense excitement. This event is one of a kind in Birmingham and I am proud that it is situated in the alternative cultural haven that is Moseley; god bless Moseley and Mostly Jazz’s organisers. Normally I venture over to France to attend a jazz, funk and soul festival with such a sterling line-​up. The park is the perfect venue for lazing and dancing the day away whilst listening to some of the finest musicians to grace Birmingham with their genius and damn-​straight coolness — it is an unparalleled event in my opinion.
From the 29^th June to the 1^st July George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, Fred Wesley and The New JB’s, Odyssey and The Family Stone to mention a few of the legendary line up will be dropping their funkiest grooves making you unable to suppress busting out your funkiest chicken or smoothest shuffle. You won’t find a line-​up like this anywhere else, so get yourself a ticket pronto as they are selling like hotcakes. Adult tickets start from £28.50 for a day to £79 for the weekend, under 16 tickets are from £13 to £35.
If your a lover of Jazz, Funk and Soul then please do yourself a favour and go to this festival, it’s a time to celebrate the greatest of music, indulge in great food and revel in the joys of life! This is going to be an amazing festival — I hope to see you there!

After successfully running the Moseley Folk Festival for 4 years, in 2010 the same organisers presented the inaugural Mostly Jazz Festival. The first year’s bill was hotly impressive featuring the Sun Ra Arkestra, Courtney Pine and The James Taylor Quartet as well as local Birmingham heroes Andy Hamilton & The Blue Notes and Steve Ajao.
Now called the mostly Jazz, Funk and soul Festival to reflect the acts on the bill the festival in 2012 will run on the 29^th June to the 1^st of July in Moseley Park. This is by far the best bill yet with huge names like George Clinton, and The Family Stone headlining. Local brewers Purity will again provide ales in the form of Ubu and Mad Goose. One of the beautiful aspects of this festival is its setting and format: A Victorian suburban park where the action runs in turn on two stages, each side by side. You can just position yourself on a blanket, and soak up the sounds. If you need a break simply stroll up the park path and you find yourself int he middle of Moseley, where you can drop into a pub for a pint or stock up of delicacies for another round of picnic and music delights. Nice.