Jazz, soul and sunshine combine for another memorable Sussex weekend in July for a glorious weekend at Glynde Place, where Love Supreme once again demonstrated why it occupies such a unique place in the UK’s festival calendar attracting more than 60,000 people to the annual event.
- Alex Isley’s contemporary r&b was the perfect for for Love supreme 2026… *
Set against the rolling backdrop of the South Downs, the festival has become much more than a jazz event. It is now a celebration of soul, funk, hip-hop, r&b, blues and more; all carefully woven together into a programme that manages to satisfy dedicated musicians, casual listeners and families alike.
What continues to set Love Supreme apart is the attention to detail. From spotless festival grounds and efficient organisation to the relaxed atmosphere that encourages audiences to wander between stages discovering artists they may never have encountered before, the whole weekend feels thoughtfully curated. There are few festivals where the experience away from the stages is just as enjoyable as the performances themselves.
This year’s edition also felt slightly different. While the festival has traditionally attracted an audience that has grown alongside its jazz roots, 2026 saw a noticeably younger crowd throughout the site.
Much of that shift could be traced back to Friday’s guest curators, Ezra Collective, whose influence stretched well beyond their headline performance. Their “Temple of Joy” programming introduced artists whose appeal crosses jazz, rap and contemporary soul, bringing a fresh energy that carried throughout the weekend.
That younger audience was most evident whenever artists such as Loyle Carner and Kofi Stone appeared. The atmosphere around their sets was markedly different from some of the more traditional performances elsewhere on the bill, with younger fans arriving early to secure places and responding with an enthusiasm that gave the festival an extra spark.
Ezra Collective themselves were more than worthy Friday night headliners. Having steadily climbed the festival’s bill over recent years, this felt like a natural progression. Their set was packed with infectious rhythms, dazzling musicianship and an obvious sense of joy that spread through the main arena. A surprise appearance from Leona Lewis provided one of those unforgettable festival moments that nobody saw coming but everyone will remember.
As always at Love Supreme, the standard of musicianship across every stage was exceptional. Whether established legends or emerging talent, virtually every performance demonstrated the level of instrumental skill that has become one of the festival’s defining characteristics. For anyone who loves watching genuinely gifted players at work, few weekends compare.
Saturday offered one of the busiest programmes of the festival. Kofi Stone completely filled the Supreme Standards tent, delivering an electrifying performance full of razor-sharp lyricism, charisma and boundless energy. The audience fed off every line, creating perhaps the most intense and animated crowd atmosphere of the weekend.
One of the biggest personal highlights came courtesy of Franc Moody. The London electro-funk duo produced an irresistibly danceable set that rarely allowed the energy levels to drop. Built around slick grooves, polished musicianship and infectious hooks, it was the sort of performance that reminded everyone why live funk remains such a powerful festival experience. Guitarist Ned Franc’s admission that he had grown up only a short distance from Glynde added an enjoyable local connection to an already memorable show.
* Lovely set from one to watch for the future: LULU (stylised upper case). The 21-year-old British/Nigerian singer and songwriter based in South East London seamlessly blends soul with afrobeats – influenced by among others Lauryn Hill, Burna Boyand Tems. She was drawn to music the Church where she in the sings in the choir, and inspired by her father’s music background.*
* On Friday DJ Pee. Wee got behind the decks in style; the alter ego of nine-time Grammy-winning artist and producer Anderson .Paak. *
Earlier in the day, Olive Jones provided a beautifully understated contrast, delivering warm, soulful songs that suited the afternoon sunshine perfectly. Aron!, meanwhile, continued to justify the growing buzz surrounding him. Still early in his career, he displayed impressive confidence, natural charm and a songwriting maturity that suggests even bigger stages await.
For those craving timeless classics, The Temptations and The Four Tops delivered exactly what generations of Motown fans had hoped for. Immaculately dressed, complete with perfectly synchronised choreography and a catalogue overflowing with classics, they offered a masterclass in crowd-pleasing entertainment.
By the time “My Girl” arrived to close the set, thousands of voices were singing every word back to the stage.
* A recent appearance on “Later…with Jools Holland” has boosted the popularity of US soul and gospel fmaily grou Annie and The cald, and they delivered a wonderful set at Love Supreme on Friday.*
Saturday night belonged to Loyle Carner, who attracted one of the largest audiences of the entire festival. His thoughtful blend of introspective hip-hop, jazz influences and deeply personal storytelling clearly resonates with a younger generation, and the crowd numbers reflected his enormous popularity.
Sunday arguably produced the strongest run of performances from beginning to end, maintaining a seamless flow between blues, soul, jazz and funk.
Blues guitarist D.K. Harrell impressed with tasteful playing and a tight backing band that allowed his expressive guitar work to shine without unnecessary showmanship.
* On day one, indie R&B singer Durand Bernarr, whose recent album secured Best Progressive r&b Album at this year’s Grammy awards, made many new fans. *
Young Gun Silver Fox followed with one of the weekend’s most effortlessly enjoyable performances. Their immaculate blend of yacht rock, sophisticated soul and jazz-pop recalled the smooth craftsmanship of Steely Dan while retaining a contemporary freshness. Every song seemed tailor-made for a sunny Sussex afternoon.
Carrtoons kept the momentum going with an infectious set full of funk-driven grooves that proved impossible to stand still through.
One of Sunday’s biggest triumphs belonged to Sister Sledge featuring Sledgendary. With founding member Debbie Sledge joined by the next generation of her family, the performance balanced nostalgia with renewed vitality. Decades after first recording them, songs like “He’s the Greatest Dancer”, “We Are Family” and “Good Times” still possess remarkable power. As the crowd sang: “These are the good times”, beneath cloudless skies, the lyrics perfectly matched the mood.
* London afrobeat and jazz outfit Kokoroko went down well on Friday with their infectious set. *
Closing the festival is never an easy task, but De La Soul judged it perfectly on Sunday. Supported by an excellent live band, they delivered a set that celebrated both their extraordinary catalogue and the spirit of collaboration that has always defined their music. The audience stayed with them until the final notes, providing a fitting conclusion to three days of outstanding live performances.
* British jazz drummer, composer, record producer and radio broadcaster Moses Boyd and his band treated Friday’s crowd to a classy melting pot of jazz, grime, afrobeats, electronica, and Caribbean vibes. He leads Moses Boyd Exodus and is part of Binker & Moses.
A Mercury Prize nominee and winner of both a MOBO and Jazz FM award. Moses has collaborated with the likes of Beyoncé and Little Simz. *
Beyond the music, Love Supreme continues to offer an experience unlike almost any other UK festival. Featuring “Guardian Live” talks, an Ottolenghi pop-up restaurant, wellness areas featuring hot tubs, saunas and yoga sessions, along with an impressive range of food and drink options, all contribute to an atmosphere that feels undeniably more refined than the average festival field. Yet despite these premium touches, the event never loses its warmth or accessibility.
It combines world-class musicianship with adventurous programming, attracts an audience that spans generations, and creates an atmosphere where discovering your new favourite artist feels just as rewarding as seeing established legends. Add glorious weather and one of the country’s most picturesque festival sites, and it remains one of the highlights of the British summer music calendar.
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Check back soon to see our coverage of day 2 & 3 at Love Supreme 2026…
Words & Photos by Manja Williams
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