Love Supreme Jazz Festival 2026: What to expect from Europe’s largest outdoor jazz festival

This Friday marks the start of a jam-packed weekend of jazz at Glynde Place in East Sussex. Friday 3 July to Sunday 5 July 2026 offers not only a chance to experience the biggest names within the genre, such as Ezra Collective, Loyle Carner, and De La Soul, but also wellness and yoga sessions, an on-site Ottolenghi restaurant and the Jazz Lounge: hosting artist interviews, talks, and screenings. The festival goes beyond just the music, endeavouring to create a buzzing environment that accommodates all.  

Having run for over ten years, previously hosting Earth, Wind and Fire, Nile Rodgers, Olivia Dean, and Gregory Porter, one can expect this exemplary standard of music to be maintained. As well as this, the festival gives a platform to less established artists, providing them with exposure to warm audiences with a passion for jazz, soul, and RnB; simply wanting to enjoy good music with good people!

From legends and global stars to the next generation of talent, it’s a programme that celebrates the full spectrum of jazz, soul and beyond

Barney Dufton

Love Supreme Jazz Festival Programming Director Barney Dufton states that, “Every year we aim to bring together the very best of jazz alongside artists pushing the music forward, and the 2026 line-up reflects that more than ever. From legends and global stars to the next generation of talent, it’s a programme that celebrates the full spectrum of jazz, soul, and beyond”. Therefore, it is apparent that this year is no exception, the festival continuing to better its ethos. Through partnering with organisations such as New Generation Jazz, Tru-Thoughts, Patterns, and The Verdict, the festival ensures that the local music community is fairly represented on stage. 

Day One

Headlining Friday will be Mercury Prize winners Ezra Collective. The British jazz quintet met at the jazz youth programme Tomorrow’s Warriors (whose Junior Band will be performing at the festival), fusing elements of afrobeat, reggae, soul, and jazz. Having collaborated with Moses Boyd (also performing on Friday), Nubya Garcia, Pa Salino, and many more, the group have solidified themselves as front running jazz musicians. Additionally, they have curated the opening day celebration Temple of Joy, bringing together inspiring artists that reflect their deep-rooted connection to the UK’s thriving underground scene. Breakout jazz group Kokoroko will also perform on the North Downs stage and eight time Grammy Award winner Anderson .Paak will deliver an all-vinyl set fuelled with old school energy. Other names include: Alex Isley, Annie and the Caldwells, Kio, and LULU.

Day Two

On Saturday, Loyle Carner will make his Love Supreme debut, ahead of a full summer festival schedule – he will also be gracing the stage at Boardmasters, Reading, and Electric Picnic Festival. Jalen Ngonda, Franc Moody, and Lemar will warm the stage for Carner, with non-stop sets on Saturday starting from 11:30 onwards. If you fancy something older style, The Temptations & The Four Tops will be headlining the South Downs stage. The music continues into the night, with Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy’s late-night DJ set. Juggling roles as a producer, radio host, and curator throughout her career, she is a true veteran of jazz. We can also expect multi-instrumentalist Courtney Pine to deliver a centennial celebration of Miles Davis, to pay a true homage to the acclaimed musician. The War And Treaty, Soul Family, and Loose Ends will also perform on Day Two.

Day Three

Alternative hip-hop group De La Soul will close the festival, their only full-band UK performance of 2026. A real exclusive! Sister Sledge will also grace the stage with their usual anthems, followed by Free Nationals, an American RnB band, frequently accompanying Anderson .Paak as his backing band. Six-time Grammy Award winner Samara Joy will perform in the late afternoon before Gabrielle wraps up the weekend on the South Downs stage. But the festival’s late-night programme expands further than any other year, with Horse Meat Disco serenading audiences into the night. In addition to all of these fantastic artists, there are community-led workshops on everyday, Bands & Voices blending live music and movement to welcome even the most apprehensive attendees.