Dele Sosimi + No Go Stop at Strange Brew
Headfirst Editor's Pick

"Imagine a world without Fela Kuti? NOW STOP because it’s never going to happen. His indelible influence on Nigerian culture, afrobeat, and music in general is assured 85 years on from his immaculate conception. Come celebrate with original Fela Kuti sideman and electrifying bandleader Dele Sosimi."

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A gig held at Strange Brew on Saturday 14th October. The event starts at 20:00.


Ear Trumpet Presents: Fela Kuti 85th Birthday Party: Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Orchestra + No Go Stop + Jam Selectas. Standing show (with some unreserved seats) at Strange Brew, 10-12 Fairfax St, BS1 3DB - Ages 18+. Doors 8:00pm

Massive Birthday Club Night celebrating what would have been Fela Kuti's 85th Birthday! An epic night of Afrobeat brought to you by original Fela Kuti band leader - Dele Sosimi and his Afrobeat Orchestra, plus Bristol Afrobeat mainstays No Go Stop and local DJ collective Jam Selectas. This will be a late night event with lengthy live sets of Fela Kuti's music as well as originals and late night DJ sets!

Dele Sosimi stands out as one of the most active musicians currently on the Afrobeat scene worldwide.
Dele’s career began when he joined Fela’s Anikulapo-Kuti’s Egypt 80, where he played keyboards for 7 years (1979-1986). Fela Anikulapo-Kuti was the founder of the style of music known as Afrobeat. The music is a blend of complex but highly danceable funk grooves, Nigerian traditional music (including hi-life), African percussion, underpinning the jazz horns and solos from other instruments, as well as rhythmical singing. Dele was the rhythm keyboard player for Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s Egypt 80 and worked and toured extensively with Fela around the world.
His live shows are ALWAYS electric, and the crowd response is ALWAYS massive. He has performed all over the world (for example, the Montreux Jazz Festival, Joe Zawinul’s Birdland (Dele was invited to perform as a guest alongside the late great Joe Zawinul at his Charity Event for survivors of Hurricane Katrina)
Currently based in London, Dele is an educator and instructor in Afrobeat (via his Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Foundation, and as a Visiting Lecturer in Music and Media, London Metropolitan University).

No Go Stop

Driving percussion, ancestral funk and heady improvisations are at the heart of No Go Stop’s sound. Featuring Marie Lister’s powerful vocal, the Bristol powerhouse features musicians who perform with artists such as Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Orchestra, Jazz Defenders, Dundundun, The Heavy, Sheelanagig, and Pete Josef.

Autumn 2022 sees the release of No Go Stop’s second album ‘Where We Are’. It captures the energetic live sound that earned the band support slots with Snarky Puppy and Ebo Taylor, as well as hosting Bristol’s tribute to Fela Kuti alongside Dele Sosimi and performing at countless festivals including Glastonbury, Greenman, Boomtown and Shambala.

The album has been two years in the making and follows their well-received debut ‘Agbara Orin’, which garnered support from BBC6 Music, Songlines and set out their stool as a high energy 12 piece with a contemporary spin on the afrobeat sound.

“The Bristol band have a real feel for what Fela Kuti and Tony Allen created 40 years ago...No Go Stop sound like real contenders for the contemporary Afrobeat crown.” – Songlines

Jam Selectas are spreading global underground rave with attention to heavyweight tropical beats and strictly good vibes. The crew consists of long time global beats rockers Ru Robinson, Waggles & Jambada who will be DJing on the night with a special Afrobeat-inspired set. https://eartrumpetmusic.co.uk

Entry requirements:

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