Summer Soul Picnic
Soul Sessions Brum return to the GardensSoul Sessions Brum returns to the Gardens for the fourth year in a row.
Experience an evening of live music featuring performances from some of the best kept secrets across the West Midlands music scene…
It’s a perfect opportunity to support upcoming artists in a relaxed and inviting setting. Whenever do you get the chance to hear live music in a Baroque gardens?
Tickets £ 15 (incl £1.08 booking fee)
Gates open and Food and Drink available from 6pm First act 7pm
What to expect:
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- These historic gardens have always hosted live music and we are delighted to continue the tradition. The weekend evening atmosphere will be warm and relaxed.
- The vibe – chilling with friends. The music – always excellent.
- NB this event is entirely outdoors – Our stretch tent protects us from any rain, you can cuddle up with blankets, if the ‘chill’ goes cold…
- Tickets £ 15 (incl £1.08 booking fee)
- Gates open and Food and Drink available from 6pm
- First act 7pm
Artists’ bios
Soul Grenades
Based in London, hailing from Montenegro, Hackney, Sydney and beyond, Soul Grenades have established themselves as one of the most exciting acts on the live scene and festival circuit.
A veritable tornado of funk, the band boasts a super-tight rhythm section, a wall of brass and an extensive song book of original music. Fusing their many influences, encompassing crate-digging rarities to contemporary dance floor fillers, Soul Grenades deliver no-nonsense, hard-hitting funk and soul music. Soul Grenades’ third album “Raw Pleasure” was released in summer 2025. Singles from the album have received airplay on BBC Radio 6 Music on The Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show.
Collective Sleep
is an Alternative Soul group based in Birmingham, known for their dynamic full-band sound and unforgettable live performances. Their music weaves together groove and soul with melodic vocals, soaring guitars and rich vocal harmonies, creating a captivating and powerful experience.
In July 2024 the band released their debut single ‘Walk With Me’. The band draws inspiration from an eclectic mix of artists, including Stevie Wonder, Prince, Herbie Hancock, Khruangbin, John Legend, the Isley Brothers, Steely Dan, Jamiroquai, Santana, Pink Floyd and Donny Hathaway.
Collective Sleep has graced iconic Birmingham venues like the Hare & Hounds, The Night Owl, and The Rainbow, and brought their signature sound to festivals such as Cocomad Festival, Malvern Rocks, Pairc Festival, and Lichfield Fuse Festival. Highlights include performing at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games Festival in 2022 and Tewkesbury Festival in 2024.
Shardae
Shardae is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and vocal arranger born and raised in Bermuda, now based in Birmingham pursuing her music career. She currently studies on the Production pathway at ACM Birmingham, where she continues to challenge herself, expand her artistry, and thank God for every opportunity along the way. Rooted in jazz, R&B, neo-soul, and gospel, Shardae believes in having fun in creativity, execution, and collaboration. With dreams of becoming a music teacher and opening a youth studio to empower the next generation of artists, her music is grounded in purpose, joy, and connection — come experience the sound and the story live.
Each of us comes from a different background, but that mix is exactly what shapes our identity. What unites us is a shared passion for music and a love for bringing that energy to life on stage.
Right now, we’re in the studio working on our debut EP, and we honestly can’t wait for you to hear what’s coming!”
Joel Sarakula
Imagine if Ray Manzarek fronted the Bee Gees. That’s a fitting introduction to Joel Sarakula, the UK-based Australian singer, songwriter and producer crafting soulful pop through a distinctly vintage lens. Drawing from the warm sounds of 1970s soft rock, funk and disco, Sarakula creates sunny, groove-driven songs for complicated times. With his long blond hair, retro style and self-aware sense of humour, he embraces comparisons to the unlikely love child of The Doors’ keyboard wizard and the Gibb brothers.
Born in Sydney and now based in the UK, Sarakula has travelled extensively in pursuit of inspiration, from performing in remote Norwegian fishing villages to surviving a Caribbean carjacking. Since establishing himself across the UK and Europe, he has released a string of acclaimed albums including Island Time (2023), Companionship (2020), Love Club (2018) and The Imposter (2015). His music has received support from BBC 6 Music, BBC Radio 2 and radio stations across Europe, while earning coverage from outlets including The New York Times, The Independent, The Irish Times, Rolling Stone Germany, El País and The Sydney Morning Herald. Often compared to artists such as Parcels, Donny Benét, Prep, Benny Sings and Young Gun Silver Fox, Sarakula continues to build an international reputation for timeless songwriting and feel-good grooves.
Greg Blackman
Known as “The Satsuma Of Soul” due to his love of orange clothing, Greg Blackman is a UK singer-songwriter whose soulful voice, witty spirit, and social awareness who began by collaborating with artists including Dutty Moonshine Big Band, Utah Saints, Daz I Kue, Featurecast, and Lack of Afro.
His rich, versatile delivery has drawn praise from across the industry: Rag ’N’ Bone Man called him “so sick — get to know!”, Craig Charles described him as “fast becoming one of the best in the business,” and Jamie Cullum declared his song Save Me “should be permanently playlisted” on BBC Radio 2.
Greg’s music has reached wide audiences on BBC Radio, MTV, and 6 Music, while his live performance with Dutty Moonshine at WOMAD has been archived in the British Library as culturally significant.
https://linktr.ee/MrGregBlackman
Tickets
£ 15 (incl £1.08 booking fee)
Last entry 8 pm
