OPUS & NOW THEN present

***NUBIYAN TWIST
One of the true rising stars of the festival scene with a multi room party at Sheffield’s music institution Yellow Arch Studios. Recently signed to Stut records (think Seun Kuti, Ebo Talyor and Sun Ra), Nubiyan Twist’s new label mates speak volumes of the quality you can expect from their 10 piece live shows. Effortlessly blending Future Jazz, afro beats, heavy dubs and blistering musicianship into their own sound is no easy feat.

Check out their latest single here from their new album here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtvcTQ5CGWo

“The group draw from hip-hop, ska, soul, funk, and more, a heady brew that aims for the waist and smashes straight through the heart.” CLASH MAGAZINE

“Alive with carnival and Afrobeat rhythms and tight brass riffs, this debut album from a UK-based big band covers the broad space between dub, soul and the jazzier end of hip-hop.” Financial Times

***OTIS MENSAH
Sheffield’s HipHop sensation and official poet laureate, this young story-teller-rapper-poet has a mesmerising delivery and a talent for drawing the poetic from the everyday happenings in his life.

Buffer rings -> “Loving this” Huw Stephens (BBC Radio1)
https://otismensah.bandcamp.com/

Plus very special guests performers and residents from some of of the best party series across Sheffield!

***MOONMONKEY (Vibrations) – DJ Set
Vibrations resident and longtime Sheffield party promoter, Moonmonkey will be delivering a hefty portion of dancefloor mayhem. Expect copious quantities of speaker juddering bass and beats and a generous sprinkling of the unexpected!

***MR STAG BEETLE (FroZac) – DJ Set
Spinning anything from crisp techno cuts to big bass lines. This guy has been owning dancefloors for years. Proper deep and chunky dance music!

***THE EMPRESS (Mango Disco) – Dj Set
Join The Empress in a celebration of Women and Queer musicians from West Africa, Trinidad, Bolivia and Brazil with a set with a live Congas player. Expect a eclectic riot of Latina, Soca, Dancehall, Afro-beat, Hip-Hop and Highlife!

Nubiyan Twist

Orchestrated by guitarist/producer Tom Excell, the epic 10 piece live show features a 4 piece horn section, 3 vocalists, electronics and an international (Brazil/UK) rhythm section to create a powerful and unforgettable experience equally at home lighting up late-night festival headliner slots or selling out jazz venues across Europe.

Their 2015 debut album Nubiyan Twist received strong support across the jazz, world and hiphop press, with support from sources as diverse as Huey Walker, David Rodigan, Craig Charles, The Independent, Songlines, Afropunk and SBTV. This was followed up with the Siren Song EP in 2016, and the Dance Inna London EP in 2017 (featuring 80s dancehall legend Supercat), with a 2nd album schedule for Autumn 2018.

Since their humble beginnings at Leeds College of Music, the band have performed on huge stages across the world, being chosen by David Byrne to perform at Queen Elizabeth Hall for the South Bank’s Meltdown Festival, selling out London’s iconic Jazz Cafe, and rocking festival stages from Fusion to Wilderness, Boomtown to Edinburgh Jazz Festival, with their powerful sound and unique blend of styles.

“masterful… a fantastic debut” – Songlines
“cool jazz vibes, uplifting horns and classy, soulful vocals…impressive debut – Blues n Soul
“complex, muscular, honeyed yet assertive” – Independent
”Immaculate” – Lostinthemanor
“fine horn arranging… interesting future” – Mojo
“strong debut” Don’t Panic
“A beautiful blend of groovy dub with uplifting horns and soulful female vocals” – The Guardian
“a fresh direction” – Clash
“Celebratory… packs a heavy punch” – Afropunk