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Little Simz set to make history headlining Cross The Tracks 2026!
- Sam Rasmin
- 6 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Cross The Tracks - the vibrant celebration of jazz, funk, and soul set in the heart of Brockwell Park - has unveiled the first wave of acts for its 2026 edition, with none other than Little Simz headlining.
Now firmly established as one of the UK’s most forward-thinking festivals, Cross The Tracks continues to blend music, community, and culture into something truly special. This year’s announcement is proof that the team behind it are pushing things to new heights.
Leading the charge is Mercury Prize-winning artist Little Simz, whose artistry has transcended genre and geography. Crowned as one of the most powerful voices to emerge from Britain in the past decade, Simz’s creative ambition knows no bounds. Fresh off her biggest-ever live shows at Manchester’s Co-op Live and London’s The O2, she’s set to deliver her first-ever headline festival performance at Cross The Tracks 2026 - a landmark moment for both artist and audience alike.
Joining her across the weekend is a stellar cast of talent that perfectly reflects the festival’s spirit. London-based Afrobeat collective KOKOROKO bring their soulful rhythms and dynamic live energy, while Obongjayar, the Nigerian-born, London-based genre-shifter, adds his unmistakable voice to the mix. Also on the bill are Lady Wray, whose neo-soul sound continues to captivate listeners worldwide, rising Scottish soul star Brooke Combe, and the genre-blending Irish outfit Bricknasty, who’ve been making serious noise across Europe.
Beyond the music, Cross The Tracks remains a festival with purpose - championing diversity, gender balance, and community-driven programming. Its commitment to a 50/50 gender split on the line-up continues to set a positive example for festivals across the UK, creating a space where both established and emerging talent can shine equally.
After a standout 2025 edition, expectations were high, but with this first wave of artists, Cross The Tracks 2026 is already shaping up to be one of the must-attend events of next summer.