Review – The Jazz Cafe Festival: A New Favourite in South London
Yesterday, South London’s Burgess Park hosted the debut of the Jazz Cafe Festival, a vibrant celebration of music, community, and culture. Blessed with beautiful weather and an electric atmosphere, the festival drew a diverse and lively crowd. Its prime location in Southeast London made it easily accessible, contributing to the welcoming and inclusive vibe.
The festival was cleverly organised across four distinct areas, each offering its own unique experience. The Parkway main stage showcased the biggest acts, while the The Plant Room offered a more intimate setting for experimental performances. Meanwhile, the dance floors at The Dome and Four Corners kept the energy flowing with high-octane DJ sets that had people dancing well into the evening.
Festival-goers reflected the eclectic music offerings with an array of stylish looks — from vintage jazz-inspired outfits to trendy streetwear. The variety of fashion was a perfect match for the broad range of musical styles, adding to the inclusive and feel-good atmosphere.
The Parkway main stage saw some of the festival’s standout performances. The Buena Vista Social Club All Stars amazed the crowd with their Latin jazz rendition of Coldplay’s “Clocks“. The fusion of Cuban rhythms and the familiar melody had the audience dancing and cheering with excitement. Eliza also captivated the Parkway stage, delivering a smooth neo-soul set with two vocal dancers by her side, creating a visually stunning and musically impressive performance.
In The Plant Room, artists like Rapsody and The Alchemist delivered a unique blend of underground hip-hop, providing fans with a more intimate, close-up experience. Meanwhile, the dance zones kept the party in full swing. Among the standout performers, DJ Jordss energised the crowd at The Dome with a high-octane set, while the legendary Gilles Peterson closed the evening at Four Corners with a stellar mix of jazz, funk, and dance music, keeping the crowd dancing under the stars.
As with any debut event, there were a few hiccups along the way. Minor delays and organisational issues cropped up during the day, but these teething problems are to be expected at a first-time festival. Despite this, the overwhelming positivity of the day far outweighed any minor inconveniences. The uplifting spirit, the quality of the music, and the overall vibe ensured that these small glitches didn’t dampen the enjoyment.
The evening was brought to a euphoric close with Gilles Peterson’s fantastic set at Four Corners, followed by a mesmerising performance from Nils Frahm on the Parkway main stage, whose hypnotic blend of jazz and electronic music created the perfect atmosphere to wrap up the event.
For a first-time festival, the Jazz Cafe Festival has firmly established itself as a must-attend event in the summer calendar. Despite the small first-year hiccups, the positives far outshone the negatives, and the day offered a beautifully diverse and dynamic celebration of music. With this strong debut, next summer’s Jazz Cafe Festival is set to be even bigger and better. After such a successful start, it’s a date you’ll want to save for 2025 — this is one festival you won’t want to miss!
