The 10-piece band – renowned for their 20-year residency at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club – will close the Park Stage at this year’s festival on Saturday 8 August.
The group has excellent festival pedigree, including being the house band at Love Supreme, Europe's largest outdoor summer jazz festival. Soul Family members have also worked with acts including Amy Winehouse, Stormzy, Girls Aloud, Sam Smith, Ed Sheeran and Liam Gallagher.
“It’s always nice to go out and do a festival,” added Natalie. “I’m constantly gigging somewhere but I don’t think I’ve ever been to Thamesmead before, so I’m looking forward to it.”
The band are promising a set sprinkled with soul, jazz and R&B classics – and their MOBO-nominated frontwoman is hoping to find the people of Thamesmead in fine voice.
“We’ll be doing some of my songs, some originals by the great vocalists who will be performing with me, and some classic soul that loads of people know,” said Natalie. “I love a good sing-along, so hopefully the Thamesmead crowd will join in and I’ll get them doing the harmonies to some great tunes.”
Thamesmead’s Got Soul
But local people have a chance to play an even bigger part in the show. Talented singers are being offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join Soul Family on stage.
Natalie is encouraging talented performers from the town to join her for Thamesmead’s Got Soul, a workshop programme culminating in the festival performance.
“I’m hoping that the talented singers of Thamesmead will be up for performing on stage and giving it some welly!” said Natalie. “We’re not worried about perfect scales or formal technique. We want energy, rhythm and soulful voices.”
The powerhouse vocalist will host two workshop sessions for a small group of successful applicants in the build-up to the big day.
“You will learn a few tracks from our repertoire as a unified group and prepare to own the festival main stage,” explained Natalie.
“After the workshops, the rehearsal ends and the festival begins. You will perform live with the band and experience that hard-hitting, funky momentum firsthand.”
Apply for the workshops
Natalie wants vocalists who are comfortable singing in public but not professional singers. The workshops will take place in Thamesmead on Tuesday 28 July and 4 August between 6pm and 8pm.
To apply, share a short video of you singing something with soul.
