Field Day Festival

Brockwell Park, London

    Having spent 11 years at Victoria Park in east London, the move to Brockwell Park was never going to be a smooth one. Residents objected immediately to the plans after last year’s Sunfall festival caused chaotic scenes resulting in police intervention.

    With tight security and a strict curfew at the new location this was also the first time that the popular festival had featured jazz artists. On the main stage were festival favourites Mammal Hands but the real jazz action was happening in the two smaller stages: the Moth Club/’It’s Nice That’ stage and the Dimensions/Total Refreshment Centre stage, both of which were full to capacity for artists that included Ezra Collective, Zara McFarlane, Sons of Kemet, Nubya Garcia, Moses Boyd’s Exodus and The Comet Is Coming.

    The Moth Club stage kicked off with singer Yazmin Lacey performing tightly arranged soulful grooves.

    Ezra Collective appeared at the Dimensions/Total Refreshment Centre Stage behind schedule as the previous act over-ran which meant their set clashing with Zara McFarlane. But they performed an engaging set of new material, as did McFarlane who was joined by regular saxophonist Binker Golding and guitarist Shirley Tetteh.

    Sons of Kemet, performed tunes from their latest album, Your Queen Is A Lizard, with Shabaka Hutchings’ melodic lines contrasting with Theon Cross’s grooving basslines on the tuba.

    Saxophonist Nubya Garcia was a big draw, performing with regulars Joe Armon-Jones and Femi Koleoso of Ezra Collective and joined by special guest trumpeter Sheila Maurice-Gray for the final number.

    Moses Boyd’s Exodus featured some interesting arrangements with Theon Cross performing bass duties on the tuba.

    The Comet Is Coming saw Shabaka Hutchings return to the stage to perform some ethereal electronica with Danalogue and Betamax.

    The strict curfew was adhered to and Erykah Badu (appearing late on stage) was cut off towards the end of her set.

Charlie Anderson