‘VARIOUS ARTISTS’ – ‘LOVE SUPREME’, GLYNDE PLACE, GLYNDE 3.7.26
Europe’s biggest outdoor jazz festival, ‘Love Supreme’, returned to the beautiful Sussex countryside setting of Glynde Place in the heart of South Downs from 3rd to 5th July. The annual three-day festival highlights the best of Jazz, Funk, Soul and Blues from both sides of the Atlantic and beyond.
This year’s edition was led by Mercury Prize winners Ezra Collective on Friday, Loyle Carner, who was making his Love Supreme debut, on Saturday, and legendary alternative hip-hop group De La Soul closed the festival on Sunday with their only full-band UK performance of 2026.
Across the weekend the line-up also featured The Temptations & The Four Tops, Sister Sledge, Gabrielle, Lemar, Free Nationals, Samara Joy, Esperanza Spalding, Courtney Pine, Jalen Ngonda, Kokoroko, Moses Boyd, Bill Frisell & Greg Tardy, Joe Lovano & Antonio Faraò, Olive Jones, The War & Treaty, Young Gun Silver Fox, Loose Ends, Annie & The Caldwells, Kofi Stone, Knats, The Bad Plus and aron! alongside a wide range of artists spanning jazz, soul, funk and R&B.
Each day there were six stages on the go, namely North Downs, South Downs, Supreme Standards, Bands & Voices, Blue In Green, and New Generation Jazz.
In addition to the music, Love Supreme also offered a wide range of festival experiences including wellness and yoga sessions, a dedicated Kids Area with interactive activities, two Supremium VIP areas, an on-site Ottolenghi restaurant, and the Jazz Lounge, which hosted artist interviews, talks and screenings. There was literally something for everyone, and it’s no wonder the punters’ ages run right across the spectrum.
The Love Supreme Jazz Festival is an annual event and next year’s dates are already set: 2nd to 4th July 2027. Super Early Bird Tickets are on sale and are up to 25% less than final prices – Find out more HERE.
As there was so much going on, we have split our reviews into three parts – one per day. This article takes care of matters on Friday 3rd July. Part 2 on the acts that performed on Saturday 4th July can be found HERE and Part 3 on the acts that performed on Sunday 5th July can be found HERE.
So without further ado let’s get down to business….
Friday 3rd July:
AMANDA
SUPREME STANDARDS STAGE 15:30 – 16:00
With the Supreme Standards tent taped off, the familiar notes of Roberta Flack’s ‘Killing Me Softly With His Song’ linger in the air. Amanda’s vocals during soundcheck alone are enough to signal what’s to come. Honouring Ezra Collective’s commitment to the future, Amanda is a member of London’s Jubilee Youth Club, best known for her cameo vocals on ‘God Gave Me Feet For Dancing’ at Glastonbury.
While the tent doesn’t pack out, a lively crowd with signs saying “Go Mandy Go!” show support for their friend in a daunting first set of the day – a challenge Amanda never seems fazed by.
In a bold move, she even opens with two unreleased originals, driven by hi-hats and Swindle-type keys. With no music currently available, Amanda showcases her voice by running through the classics – including a full outing of the soundchecked ‘Killing Me Softly With His Song’, with impeccable rhythm from her backing band and some mellifluous vocal runs. With a cover of Jill Scott’s ‘Golden’ getting the dance started, ‘Crazy Love’ is a full-blown detonator with its off-kilter garage rhythm.
“Just before we end, I have one more original,” Amanda states, “I made this with the lovely Femi of Ezra Collective” before a gospel-type untitled track with lyrics of “You are good; You are kind; I have never seen your kind” earns sing-alongs from a devoted front row of the tent. With an impressively assured stage presence despite the daunting opening set, Amanda’s set feels like everything Ezra Collective stands for: a testament to youth when given a platform to succeed. Amanda is firmly on her way.
