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Festival Preview: Cross The Tracks 2020

Credit: Luke Dyson

Last year’s Cross The Tracks brought eclectic sounds from soul and jazz to hip-hop and RnB, with the likes of Etta Bond, Poppy Ajudha, Oscar Jerome and Joel Culpepper. 

With Chaka Khan bringing the energy to the funk-filled day last summer, fans of Cross The Tracks are in for a treat with this year’s lineup. Heading up the day will be Sister Sledge, the legendary disco queens famous for some of the biggest songs of the ‘70s and ‘80s, from Thinking of You and He’s the Greatest Dancer to We Are Family and Lost in Music. With a career spanning across five decades and a discography filled with timeless hits, the group are leading Brixton’s soul, jazz and funk feast. 

Soul heads can enjoy the dulcet tones of soulful R&B singer, Pip Millett. With fans such as Jorja Smith and a recent appearance on Colors, the Mancunian-born singer is a rising star. Similarly, Greentea Peng, the psychedelic songstress tipped as one of the hottest sounds of 2020 is another big name representing the soul scene. Other big names include Sasha Keable whose deeply emotive tracks Treat Me Like I’m All Yours and Loyalty have catapulted her back into the spotlight, and R&B-infused singer-songwriter Jaz Karis.

Jazz fans can expect to be treated with the likes of musical collective, Steam Down, back again, alongside Laura Misch and award-winning tuba player and composer, Theon Cross.

For those seeking out new sounds, alternative neo-soul singer, Tawiah will be performing tracks from her debut album, Starts Again. DJ, Tash LC has recently burst onto the scene and established herself as one of the hottest DJs in dance music - expect afro-jazz and highlife influences weaved into her set. Bringing the old-school will be the legendary Norman Jay and Jazzie B with soul, disco and funk-filled sets, and Gilles Peterson, the pioneering promoter of the jazz, hip-hop and electronic UK scenes.

Cross The Tracks will also host over 40 street food traders to Brockwell Park, alongside a creatives market, talks, panels, workshops, a wellness area, and art and record fair. 

More information: xthetracks.com 

Date: Sunday 7 June 2020 | Midday-10pm

Location: Brockwell Park, Brixton, London SE24 0NG

Price: £30+

Facebook: @xthetracks

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