Charting a growth curve from a 2022 debut across 4 venues, Brick Lane Jazz Festival returns in 2025 with a 12 12-stage extravaganza spanning Brick Lane and Shoreditch , with a genre-defying line-up that mirrors the vibrant convergence of London’s thriving underground music scenes. Focused on spotlighting local and emerging talent, the festival brings together artists from jazz, hip-hop, neo-soul, R&B, breakbeat, and electronic music, performing across twelve iconic music venues on and around Brick Lane.
Having firmly established itself as a cornerstone of East London’s cultural landscape, the festival continues to uncover underground jazz gems while drawing in artists making waves on the UK scene, all set against the backdrop of some of the capital’s most renowned cultural hotspots. All festival venues are within a short walk from the central hub at the iconic Truman Brewery space on Brick Lane, transforming the site and surrounding area into a vibrant hive of gig-hopping excitement for three days every April. Today, Brick Lane Jazz Festival unveils the first round of their 2025 line-up.
Newly announced headliners include new age zen master Laraaji, French-Caribbean soul / funk rising star Adi Oasis and R&B trailblazer and producer-in-demand, Ragz Originale. Elsewhere the festival will feature appearances from rising stars in the jazz scene such as Ife Ogunjobi (winner of this year’s Parliamentary Jazz “Best Newcomer” award) and the Rebecca Vasmant Ensemble, as well as showcasing some of the city’s best electronic and experimental outfits with the likes of Last Nubian, Marysia Osu, and Marla Kether set to play. BLJF will also celebrate global artists with sets from Irish Jamaican artist Rio Rainz, Ukranian harpist Alina Bzhezhinska and Ghanian Dutch artist Bnnyhunna, as well as further spotlighting the ever-expanding R&B / soul crossover scene with performances from Jelani Blackman and Astrønne.
Reflecting on this fourth edition, the festival’s Founder, Juliet Kennedy says, “Every year I think, ‘Can we really top last year’s lineup?’ And yet, the talent in UK jazz just keeps raising the bar! This year’s lineup is a dream, and I can’t wait to bring the get everyone down to Brick Lane again with our fantastic partners, Tomorrow’s Warriors and Jazz re:freshed. Let’s go 2025!”
