INTERVIEW – B-ahwe ‘26% MIXTAPE’
11 December 2023
For many, it’s the annual signifier that summer is almost here and a sun-soaked season filled with live music is just around the corner. The festival featured a varied line-up spanning decades, showcasing an eclectic mix of up-and-coming UK artists, heritage names and global icons to draw a devoted crowd of music lovers.
That familiar buzz of excitement felt like an old friend as festival-goers gathered at the Brixton site in anticipation. Shortly after the gates opened, an announcement rippled through the crowd: the beloved queen of neo-soul herself, Erykah Badu, would not be appearing. Despite the setback, Cross The Tracks emphasised that the festival ‘isn’t just about one act, it’s about 70 incredible acts, shaping and defining the genres we love globally’. While disappointment was felt among fans, the overwhelming spirit of community prevailed. Before long, attendees were navigating between stages, ready to sample everything the festival had to offer. A last-minute adjustment to the set times brought hip-hop legend Freddie Gibbs alongside Madlib for a spontaneous mainstage performance, while US girl group En Vogue rose to headliner status with an electrifying medley of their greatest hits.
Amongst the 70+ acts were some fantastic emerging female artists. Arriving early for these slots is always worthwhile, offering a valuable chance to discover new music and explore the stages up close. Ella More opened the Caboose with a powerhouse performance. As the audience steadily trickled in, the singer-songwriter commanded the stage with stunning vocals and a natural confidence. Joined by her band, she treated the crowd to a live set of R&B-tinged alternative love songs, including the stand-out ‘You Know’, before wrapping up with her latest single ‘Balance’, a track that demonstrates her newly refined sound and ample potential. If you’re eager to support an artist at the beginning of their career and witness their growth, Ella More is one to watch.
Meanwhile, at the D-Railed stage, The Blues Project curated a sensational line-up of artists, each bringing their unique flavour of R&B. Highlights included performances by London-based Natanya and Jamilah Barry. With a minimal setup and stripped-back arrangement, all attention was on Jamilah’s dazzling voice, accompanied only by a guitarist. She delivered a heartfelt dedication to those ‘facing unspeakable, unimaginable atrocities’, captivating the audience completely. During the rest of the set, fans grooved along to notable tracks like ‘Merlot’, ‘Uber Ride’ and ‘Woman’s Touch’, a song she collaborated on with Cross The Tracks alumnus Yussef Dayes. At one point, the crowd sang in unison under Jamilah’s direction, creating a magical moment within a wonderfully vulnerable performance.
For a fix of jazz music, oreglo’s high-energy set had the crowd jumping, while Ife Ogunjobi gave a truly special performance. The trumpeter and composer, who previously played Cross The Tracks as a member of Ezra Collective, effortlessly took to the spotlight to showcase his exceptional musicianship following the release of his first solo EP last year. The atmosphere inside the tent was palpable from the start, it was evident everyone sensed they were watching something remarkable. Finally, Girls Love Soul expertly took over the booth, supplying a soulful soundtrack to the day and championing a selection of talented female and non-binary DJs.
Overall, this year felt like a triumph for the underdogs, as the smaller stages shone through and delivered. With the departure of Erykah Badu and a lack of sound at the two larger stages, festival-goers were particularly inclined to embrace emerging artists. One of the great strengths of Cross The Tracks is the diversity embedded within its lineup. This day festival presents a fantastic opportunity to witness rare performances and serves as a springboard for discovering contemporary artists on the rise.
