COOL Festival '27

UK nine-piece collective Nubiyan Twist headline the opening day of COOL Festival with their explosive blend of jazz, afrobeat, soul, hip-hop and dance music. Fusing infectious global grooves, vibrant horn arrangements and irresistible rhythms with the finesse of the UK jazz scene, the band deliver a powerful, feel-good live experience.

Formed in Leeds, Nubiyan Twist have collaborated with musical icons including Nile Rodgers, Tony Allen, Seun Kuti and Fatoumata Diawara. With their ever-evolving sound, acclaimed releases and electrifying live shows, the collective continue to push musical boundaries, bringing cultures, generations and genres together on the dancefloor.

With a voice that hits straight to the heart, British soul powerhouse Hannah Williams brings emotion, grooves and energy to the stage. Her unmistakable vocals first reached a global audience when Jay-Z sampled her song ‘Late Nights & Heartbreak’ on his 2017 album "4:44", turning her into one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary soul.

Backed by her Bristol-based band The Affirmations, Williams blends classic soul, psychedelic funk and gritty, powerful rhythms into a sound that is both timeless and electrifying. Her acclaimed albums "Late Nights & Heartbreak" (2016) and "50 Foot Woman" (2019) showcase a vocalist who channels heartbreak, strength and vulnerability into every performance.

In 2026, "Late Nights & Heartbreak" returns in a special 10th anniversary edition, celebrating the album that changed everything. 

Amsterdam-based singer, songwriter and multidisciplinary artist Latanya Alberto brings a blend of neo-soul, jazz, reggae and afro-jazz to COOL Festival. Rooted in her Surinamese and Curaçaoan heritage, her music weaves soulful melodies, poetic storytelling and rich, genre-spanning arrangements into a sound that balances softness and strength.

With a background in poetry, Alberto explores themes of love, vulnerability, female empowerment and social justice. Her acclaimed projects "Ruminate", "Cede" and "The Royal Escape" established her as a distinctive voice in contemporary soul, while collaborations with Ta-ku, Full Crate and JAEL helped expand her musical universe. Her captivating performances have taken her to stages including COLORS, Eurosonic and North Sea Jazz, as well as alongside the Metropole Orchestra and John Legend.

Released in June 2026, her debut album "SEEN" marks a new chapter in her artistic journey. Exploring emotional and physical safety for women+, the album is an intimate and powerful statement on what it means to be seen, heard and understood. Through music that embraces both vulnerability and resilience, Latanya Alberto creates space for connection, reflection and change.

For Ilse Liebens, everything revolves around music. For years, she hosted "Maxx" every Saturday on Studio Brussel, and today you can hear her on Radio 1. That passion has remained exactly the same all along: spreading music, as widely and as far as possible. As a DJ, she was initiated into the legendary Culture Club, after which Liebens quickly became a familiar and trusted presence at festivals such as Pukkelpop and Rock Werchter. 

Soul runs deep in the family of The Womack Sisters. Granddaughters of legendary soul pioneer Sam Cooke and nieces of Bobby Womack, sisters Kucha, Zeimani and BG grew up surrounded by music, singing alongside their parents, Womack & Womack, on stages and in studios around the world.

Now stepping into the spotlight in their own right, the trio blend their distinctive voices into a rich, harmony-driven sound rooted in classic soul, vintage R&B and timeless songwriting. Their self-titled debut album, released in 2026 on Daptone Records, pays tribute to their remarkable musical lineage while carving out a sound that is unmistakably their own. Overflowing with warmth, groove and soulful energy, The Womack Sisters bring a new generation of soul to life, honouring the past while looking firmly towards the future. 

Raised in West London, the singer-songwriter draws on seven years in gospel choirs and a musical upbringing spanning Aretha Franklin, Amy Winehouse, Nas and Kendrick Lamar. The result is a soulful blend of contemporary R&B, classic soul and thoughtful, poetic songwriting.

Her debut EP "People Watching" (2025) introduced an exciting new voice, earning over two million streams, support from BBC Radio 1 and a place on Clash Magazine’s "25 Artists Who Could Define the Year" list. With her understated stage presence and captivating vocals, Vitalis has performed at festivals including Cross The Tracks, We Out Here and the St Lucia Jazz Festival, as well as on "A COLORS SHOW".

Her follow-up EP "Lady Luck" (2026), produced by Charlie Perry (Olivia Dean, Lola Young, Jorja Smith), sees her turn her observant gaze inward, exploring intuition, timing and the courage to trust yourself. At COOL Festival, Olympia Vitalis brings a soulful, close-up performance that makes room for nuance, feeling and the timeless connection between voice, rhythm and emotion.

Drawing inspiration from bossa nova, soul and jazz, Belgian singer-songwriter NYVE creates a distinctive musical universe where warm melodies meet heartfelt storytelling. Influenced by artists such as Lianne La Havas and Olivia Dean, her music blends contemporary pop with the warmth and subtlety of classic soul.

In her songs, NYVE explores emotions, self-reflection and the journey towards self-discovery. Following her debut EP "Be My Own" (2025), she returns with "Becoming", a new chapter in her musical journey. With her honest songwriting and soulful sound, NYVE captures the beauty and vulnerability of personal growth, bringing a fresh perspective to the rich musical palette of COOL Festival.

Soulboys vs Rudeboys brings the finest vintage reggae, ska and rocksteady to the dancefloor. Founded by Belgian record collector and DJ Mr Fried G, this crew of passionate selectors digs deep into their vinyl collections to deliver rare grooves and irresistible rhythms from the late ’60s and early ’70s. 

A leading voice in the UK jazz scene, London-based multi-instrumentalist, producer and rapper Alfa Mist brings a distinctive blend of jazz, hip-hop and neo-classical influences to COOL Festival. Rooted in the beats of grime and hip-hop, his music combines intimate, introspective melodies with rich harmonies, intricate arrangements and infectious grooves.

Since his acclaimed 2015 debut "Nocturne" (2015), Alfa Mist has continually pushed musical boundaries, collaborating with artists such as Jordan Rakei and Tom Misch. His latest album, "Roulette" (2025), explores a dystopian sci-fi universe through expansive compositions featuring British soul artist Tawiah and vocalist Kaya Thomas-Dyke. Joined by his five-piece band, Alfa Mist transforms his genre-defying sound into an immersive live experience where jazz, rhythm and improvisation come together.

Rooted in the golden age of soul but always looking forward, UK five-piece Mamas Gun bring their irresistible blend of soul, funk and pop to COOL Festival. Led by singer and songwriter Andy Platts, the band pairs his distinctive vocals with tight grooves, warm keys, expressive guitar work and a rhythm section built to keep things moving.

Since emerging with their debut album "Routes to Riches" (2011), Mamas Gun have carved out a sound that draws on classic soul while embracing a fresh, contemporary energy. Their music has earned them fans around the world, from soul enthusiasts to lovers of sophisticated pop. 

Their newest album "DIG!" (2026) captures that spirit in eleven lovingly crafted songs, recorded live to analogue tape. Drawing on the sounds of soul, gospel and funk, the record celebrates the power of great songs, organic musicianship and uplifting grooves. With a catalogue packed with feel-good melodies, rich arrangements and infectious rhythms, Mamas Gun turn every live show into a celebration of timeless soul and groove.

After 40 years behind the decks, Groove Merchant is still bringing the heat. From the days of Sfinks Villa and Pacific to Jardim, Strantwerpen and Café Au Lait, his irresistible grooves have kept dancefloors moving for decades. Expect a feel-good mix of funk, soul, jazz and afrobeats, delivered with the knowledge and instinct of a true crate-digging veteran.