The much-loved Love Supreme Jazz Festival will return to the rolling parkland of Glynde Place in East Sussex from 3rd–5th July 2026. As Europe’s biggest outdoor jazz festival gears up for another landmark year, organisers have unveiled the first wave of artists set to appear — an announcement that confirms the festival’s reputation for blending musical excellence, cultural breadth, and an unmistakably warm, communal atmosphere.
Two stand-out names lead the early reveal: Ezra Collective and Loyle Carner, both of whom reflect the evolving intersection between jazz, soul, hip-hop, and Black British creativity. Their inclusion signals a vibrant, forward-looking edition of the festival, while also honouring the legacy of the scenes that helped shape it.
Ezra Collective: A Full-Circle Return and a New Curatorial Role
The 2026 festival marks the first time Love Supreme will present three full days of main stage programming. It will open on Friday with a headline performance from the Mercury Prize and Brit Award-winning Ezra Collective. Their relationship with the festival goes back a decade; they first appeared at Love Supreme in 2016 as an emerging group still carving out their identity. That show, which they describe as a turning point in their early career, introduced them to a wider festival audience long before their international acclaim.
Returning ten years later as one of the most influential forces in UK jazz, the group will take on a dual role: headliners and curators. Their newly created programme, Temple of Joy, will shape the entire opening day. Drawing on their foundations in jazz, Afrobeat, gospel, hip-hop, and London’s melting-pot musical culture, they are inviting artists who mirror their collaborative spirit and the sense of unity that defines their sound. Early additions to Temple of Joy include Kokoroko, Moses Boyd, Luke Una, and the Mississippi ensemble Annie & The Caldwells.
Ezra Collective say they are honoured to return in this new capacity, describing the experience as deeply personal. “Love Supreme has always held a very special place in our hearts,” they said. “Coming back as main stage headliners feels like a full circle moment for us. We can’t wait to celebrate with everyone next summer.”
Their involvement sets a tone not only of celebration but of gratitude — a reminder of the festival’s role in offering emerging artists a platform, and the joy of returning to it transformed.
Loyle Carner to Lead Saturday Night
Saturday’s headline act will be Loyle Carner, one of the most distinctive voices in British music. Known for his introspective, jazz-inflected hip-hop, Carner has built a reputation for lyrical honesty and emotional depth, pairing sharp social commentary with a mellow, soulful sensibility. His 2026 appearance follows an extraordinary 2025, which saw him headline Glastonbury’s Other Stage, sell out four consecutive nights at London’s Brixton Academy, and release his Top Five album Hopefully.
Carner shared his excitement at finally joining the Love Supreme line-up, calling the festival “a rare one that celebrates all the music I hold close,” before adding, with typical warmth, that “my mum goes every year — catch you in July!”
His presence highlights the festival’s embrace of new directions in jazz and its neighbouring genres, reflecting the fluid, boundary-crossing spirit that defines today’s musical landscape.
A Broad and Ambitious First Wave of Talent
Alongside the headliners, the festival has announced a diverse group of artists from across the jazz, soul, blues, and contemporary music worlds. Five-time Grammy-winning vocalist Samara Joy will bring her rich, timeless sound back to UK audiences. Motown icons The Temptations & The Four Tops will unite for a special joint performance that promises to be one of the weekend’s most memorable moments. Rising soul star Jalen Ngonda, visionary bassist and vocalist Esperanza Spalding, blues sensation D.K. Harrell, New York multi-instrumentalist Carrtoons, and the acclaimed soul duo The War and Treaty are also confirmed for the 2026 edition.
Together, this early line-up captures the global reach of the festival — weaving together established legends, breakthrough artists, and genre-shaping innovators.
More Than Music: A Full Festival Experience
While the performances sit at the heart of the weekend, Love Supreme has built a reputation for offering a rounded, immersive experience. The 2026 festival will once again feature wellness and yoga sessions, a dedicated area for children, cabaret and spoken word, swing dance lessons, late-night woodland performances, and the popular Jazz Lounge, which hosts interviews, discussions, and screenings with some of the festival’s most exciting voices.
Every corner of the site contributes to the unique atmosphere that has made Love Supreme a fixture of the UK festival landscape: relaxed, inclusive, creatively diverse, and designed to be enjoyed by all ages.
More artists — including the much-anticipated Sunday headliner — will be revealed in the coming months. Early Bird tickets are already available from the festival’s website at www.lovesupremefestival.com.
.