The Jazz Cafe has stamped its mark on the festival scene. This was easily one of the standout events of the summer — a carefully curated lineup paired with unforgettable energy from start to finish. With R&B, soul, and melodic rap at the forefront, anticipation was high, and the artists more than lived up to the moment.
On Sunday, 3rd August, music lovers filled Burgess Park to dance, sing, and immerse themselves in a day of incredible performances. From soulful serenades to hype-driven rap and everything in between, the Jazz Cafe festival offered a perfect balance of sounds. It was a joy to see such a diverse crowd coming together to celebrate music in all its forms.
Masego headlines the Jazz Cafe festival
This wasn’t our first time seeing Masego live, but once again, he raised the bar. His ability to weave the crowd into the performance is unmatched — the call-and-response moments felt seamless, almost rehearsed, yet completely organic. With global influences shining through his set, it truly felt like we had Traveled Abroad alongside him.
Westside Gunn leaves it all on the stage
Catching Westside Gunn live for the first time was unforgettable. From the moment his MC amped up the crowd, we knew we were in for a ride. Bringing his crew on stage gave the set a communal, almost family-like atmosphere — the audience wasn’t just watching, we were part of it. One thing’s for sure: next time he headlines in the UK, we’ll be there.
Elmiene’s quintessentially beautiful serenade
Elmiene delivered the afternoon soul-soothing performance we didn’t know we needed. His vocals were nothing short of breathtaking, leaving the crowd in awe. A special highlight was hearing music from his then-unreleased project ‘Heat the Streets‘ — a privilege that made the set feel even more intimate. Elmiene is the kind of artist you’d happily see again and again.
Undeniably smooth with a grounding energy – Lex Amor
Lex Amor captivated a completely packed tent with her cool tones and sharp lyrical flow. One of the most touching moments came when she paused to recognise someone’s work in the community — a gesture that underscored her message of unity and togetherness. Her set was as flawless as it was heartfelt.
Lexa Gates and her lyrical plays
Lexa Gates brought raw honesty to her performance, with every lyric carrying weight and intention. The highlight? Watching fans in the front row rap along word-for-word — a testament to the connection her music creates. It was a reminder of why we come to festivals like this: the shared love of music and story.
Nectar Woode – Sunshine in musical form
Nectar Woode’s set was the perfect soundtrack to a summer’s day (especially ‘Good Vibrations‘). Backed by an incredible live band, she had the crowd laughing, swaying, and even tearing up at times. Her heartfelt delivery and natural warmth made everyone feel like part of something special.
Jazz Cafe Festival ’25 was a celebration of sound, soul, and connection. With a lineup that delivered on every promise, it’s safe to say this festival has firmly cemented itself as one of the summer’s must-attend events.
