Under review: Love is all you need

The very ambitious Love Supreme Festival got off to a good start, with large numbers there on the Saturday to see an impressive and eclectic line-up that featured a kaleidoscopic performance from disco legends Chic, headed by Nile Rodgers, a man whose CV is beyond impressive. Headliner Bryan Ferry and his trad-jazz Orchestra were always going to to find it hard to follow that, and fail they did, not helped by Ferry’s overly languid style.
Elsewhere, Michael Kiwanuka’s easy going retro folk-soul, Courtney Pine’s Afro-Caribbean-jazz fusion whirlwind, and the various Brighton-based jazz acts on the intimate Bandstand stage generally impressed, while the Robert Glasper Experiment was one of several acts who not only were not able to grasp the ‘line check’ only needs of a festival, but suffered from a poor sound, something that was a surprising and negative aspect for the festival as a whole. Party vibes continued into the early hours on Saturday with White Mink’s electro swing sounds.
Full of day trippers, folding chairs, and an air of affluence, Love Supreme was blessed by exceptional weather, was well organised and full of great music, if lacking in non-musical entertainment that truly marks out a festival.

Love Supreme festival, Glynde Place, 5 July 2013,

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Jeff Hemmings