Returning for its sixth edition on Sunday 25th May, Cross The Tracks is ready to usher in the summer festival season with a rich mix of jazz, funk, and soul. Set across several stages in Brixton’s Brockwell Park, the single-day spectacle is one of London’s most eclectic musical gatherings — a deep dive into global rhythm culture, complete with sizzling live sets, bold flavours, and a high-energy crowd from all walks of life.

Founded in 2019 by prolific curator Rob Da Bank, the festival strives to “create a space that honours the rich history and exciting future” of its core genres. With a medley of mainstream winners and emerging gems, 2025’s iteration looks set to do just that. 

This year’s headliners bring heavyweight credentials — and a Mercury Prize apiece. Michael Kiwanuka’s latest record, Small Changes, adds another layer of soul-searching lyricism to an already staggering back catalogue, while Ezra Collective are bound to get people bouncing with their dynamic, high-energy jazz. 

But, as is so often the case, delving deeper into the line-up reveals a plethora of global genres and fascinating sets.

For fans of afrobeat rhythms and politically charged lyrics, it’s tricky to look beyond Cymande — back on the circuit with a fine fusion of soul, jazz, and Caribbean funk following their recent release Renascence. Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 are another must-see — the youngest son of Fela continues his father’s legacy with a fierce, magnetic presence, while the band delivers high-energy grooves steeped in Nigeria’s rich musical heritage.

Elsewhere, stalwarts of UK dub and reggae abound, with Aba Shanti-I and Channel One Sound System set to bring chest-rattling bass and spiritual uplift to the fields. For a more contemporary tilt, keep an ear out for South London’s Jaz Karis — her recent COLORS session and SAFE FLIGHT LP have marked her as a major rising star of alternative R&B with smooth, soulful vocals. 

Meanwhile, the Moses Yoofee Trio are turning heads across Europe following their debut album “MYT”. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for the intricate jazz improv and edgy beats which earned them the prestigious German Jazz Prize for ‘Live Act of the Year’ in 2024.

The line-up also crosses borders in more unexpected ways. World music enthusiast Somewhere Soul weaves vinyl rarities from Turkey to Japan into hypnotic sets. And for those seeking a brief reprieve from the upbeat boogie? Allexa Nava is a Peruvian saxophonist and flautist who blends Latin jazz with Middle Eastern harmonies. 

With a stacked line-up and plenty of genre-jumping in store, Cross The Tracks 25 promises to be a rich, rhythmic ride through global soundscapes. Grab a ticket, take it all in, and stay tuned for our review later this month.

Limited tickets for the all-dayer event are still available via the festival’s official website

Photo ©: Garry Jones