Yemi Bolatiwa & Friends
Wednesday, 22nd April @ 7:00 pm
£7.00 – £10.00
A night of live South-East Soul. South-London Soulstress is returning to her homing grounds for a mid-meek show of melodious music, with her full 6 piece band. The London born artist joins us mid-spring on the brink of her debut album as she presents new lyrics, new stories and new grooves. After supporting Mississippi Gospel powerhouse, Annie & The Caldwells in February, the artist’s year is back off to a jump start.
During Yemi’s career she has also supported Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Submotion Orchestra, Riot Jazz, The Skints, Ezra Collective and headlined Manchester Jazz Festival whilst simultaneously working in electronic music with the likes of Josh Butler, Benny Page, Chimpo, Obeka Halogenix, Danny Howard, Lauren Lo Sung & Antony Szmierek. The 2025 series of gigs with BB6 Music’s acclaimed The 745s and ongoing collaboration with The Untold Orchestra contribute to her genre bending influences and approach to soul music.
This live band is a blend of smooth textures, jazzy riffs and luxurious viola strings and harmonies. Her new work journeys through 90s nostalgia vocally inspired by Toni Braxton, Brandy, with hints of Sade and Lianne La Havas. The synthy G-funk and broken beats move into samba grooves and soulful drum pockets. With a smoothness that showcases professional self-taught skill, prepare from musical openness and stories told emotions on stage.
Combining her childhood influences to create something “smooth and powerful, rooted in ’90s and early 2000s R&B melodies”. – Hunger Magazine, (2025), yemi is described as “A versatile vocalist, at home on an infectious pop song or a confessional soul track. There’s an effortlessness and smoothness to her delivery.” – Crack Magazine.