Chaka Khan is playing two London festivals in a row

For one weekend in June, the legendary Chaka Khan will essentially reign over Brixton’s Brockwell Park. On Saturday June 8, she’ll headline Mighty Hoopla, London’s biggest pure pop festival and a highlight of the LGBT+ summer calendar. Then on Sunday June 9, she’ll top the bill in the same park at Cross the Tracks, a brand new one-day festival with a jazz, soul and funk flavour.

Khan’s place in history has been assured for decades – she’s the Queen of Funk, a longtime gay icon and the incredible voice behind totemic bangers ‘Ain’t Nobody’ and ‘I’m Every Woman’. She’s also enjoying a real musical renaissance this year: new album ‘Hello Happiness’, co-produced by MIA and Diplo collaborator Switch, is a flawlessly executed blend of classic disco-funk grooves and clever modern flourishes. It’s the perfect soundtrack to pre-drinks ahead of Eagle London’s sublime Sunday club night Horse Meat Disco. She joins a poptastic line-up at Mighty Hoopla that includes legendary girl bands All Saints and Bananarama, plus Liberty X, Samantha Mumba, Jamelia and cult Swedish pop artist Tove Lo. This year’s event will also welcome an array of mostly LGBT+ club nights and venues including Sink The Pink, Guilty Pleasures, Massaoke, The Cocoa Butter Club, Hungama, We Love Pop, The Chateau and The Grand. Basically, it’s safe to presume there will be glitter. If you don’t manage to snap up tickets for either of her headline sets, in the immortal words of Chaka herself: I feel for you. 

Chaka's ace album, ‘Hello Happiness’, is out on Fri Feb 15. Here's a taste...