With our latest Issue 125 on stands and August promising a NHC with all the vibes, we return to Cafe Koko in Camden on Thursday 21st September for a night of live music & DJs with great food and drinks on hand.
Secure your free tickets HERE via Dice or fast scroll down to sign-up now via the form at the bottom of this article.
Running monthly, the series has returned for 2023 with fresh energy at Cafe Koko. Bringing together industry favourites for an invite-only cultural celebration. Acts including Ashnikko, J HUS, Lady Leshurr, Tom Grennan, Masego, Jarreau Vandal, Knucks, Big Zuu, Sampah The Great, Poppy Ajudha, Greentea Peng, Jammer, Skepta, Frisco, Sneakbo, Sam Tompkins & many more have all previously graced the Clash Live stage.
So far this season we have hosted performances from AntsLive, Br3nya, BZ, Zakhar, Jaydonclover, Psi.ko, Tommy Saint, Berna, G!ft, Lost Girl, FelixThe1st, Kwaku Asante, Bawo, Mnelia, Amie Blu, Twyce, Zino Vinci, Sophie Faith, Songer, Rasharn Powell, Monroe X and more.
This is generally speaking the last chance to catch some these acts this year in such an intimate environment. As always space is extremely limited, sign up for the free ticket lottery now via the form below for your chance to attend. Thursday September 21st we will be starring the following acts alongside all our favourite new music on-rotation.
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BEL COBAIN
East London artist and botanist Bel Cobain. Cobain is a rootsy, organic storyteller rejecting the prevailing status quo. Inspired by radical rulebreakers like Fela Kuti and Jill Scott who amplify messages of equity, kinship and the heady delirium of love, pain and heartache, Cobain is coolly disassociated from the frills and frenzy of the industry today.
She made her debut in 2018 with the lo-fi lilt of ‘Mint (These Lines)’, breaking through the proverbial saturation with ‘Introverted Stoner’ in 2019 – a collaboration with fellow languid poet Lex Amor followed in 2021 cementing her place within the progressive soul and jazz scenes. Since then she’s expanded her vision by integrating the revolving sounds of her band; in this this act of communal and creative exchange as a live ensemble, Cobain truly comes alive.
Last year Bel released double-single, ‘Leader’ and ‘Unsafe House’, deftly moving between mood music and poetic styles, all the while retaining a beguiling presence and steely calm in her vocal delivery: the former is an amalgam of evocative Latin rhythms and afrobeats, a call to surrender to the ebbs and flows of love; the darker, moodier ‘Unsafe House’ tackles conditioning and ancestral trauma, as gauzy percussion builds an aural smokescreen of ambiguity.
With more new music on the horizon, Cobain promises to gently guide the listener into her inner sanctum, a place where they can experience the fullness of themselves and challenge pre-existing modes of thinking. We are over the moon to welcome Bel Cobain to the Clash Live stage.
Tune in now…
JADA
JADA is an up and coming singer/songwriter who uses her soul-stirring melodies and heartfelt lyrics to captivate her audience. Born and raised in Hackney, East London, JADA discovered her passion for music through drawing inspiration from her family and surroundings; which led her to hone in on her songwriting skills, and develop her unique style infusing authenticity into every song she creates.
JADA’s vision is to evolve as an artist by pushing boundaries, and exploring a variety of musical territories. She is committed to creating meaningful, authentic and relatable music. She first started making waves in the scene through collaborations with the likes of, Jxck James, Scribz Riley, Ambre, and most recent, a feature with musician VENNA ‘TAM TAM’.
JADA is getting ready to embark on her long anticipated Debut EP set to release in 2024 – with the first single coming this Autumn! The new project promises to showcase her growth as a musician and offer a fresh perspective to her artistry.
By having a passion to communicate her art, JADA s poised to become a significant force in the music industry. Her dedication to her craft, combined with here undeniable talents, makes her an artist worth keeping an eye on, as she continues to carve her path in the world of music. We are super excited to host JADA on a Clash Live stage this month.
Tune in now…
KIERON BOOTHE
Newham rapper Kieron Boothe is riding the wave from his third single, ‘No Regrets’ taken from his ‘Views From The Bottom’ 6-track project. Produced by long-term collaborator and multi-instrumentalist Nikhil Beats, ‘No Regrets’ reinforces the message that you need to live life to the fullest, as Kieron repeats in the chorus ‘stack your chips and bet’.
Speaking on the single Kieron said: “No Regrets is me reflecting and thinking about my journey so far, the good and the bad and not regretting anything along the way. “There’s no gain without pain” is saying it’s all part of the journey, keep your head down and keep proving people wrong.“ Following the success of the first three singles, he continues to thrive whilst making music on his terms with this EP showcasing just how far he’s come. Throughout ‘Views From The Bottom’ he has shown his skill and versatility collaborating with six different producers and creating a project that embodies his distinctive Kieron Boothe style.
Growing up immersed in the capital’s rich musical history and culture, both at home and with friends, all Kieron knew was music and art. With family ties to legendary Jamaican reggae artist Ken Boothe, his fascination with music started early and he began writing lyrics at 11 years old. At 17 he won a competition via a major label which reassured him of his potential. Not one to shy away from collaborations Kieron has worked with the likes of; KeepVibesNear, ebdl, Nikhil Beats and Morgan Lorelle who all compliment his experimental style. What many might not know is that Kieron’s creative flair doesn’t stop at music, he’s also an applauded illustrator with co-signs from the likes of Idris Elba, KSI and Giggs to name a few. Kieron Boothe is going to take over Clash Live on the 21st.
Tune in now…
mustbejohn
Hertfordshire-based rapper-singer mustbejohn releases new single ‘Just A Glimpse’ taken from his forthcoming project ‘Losing Balance’, due 6th October. Led by Electronic-influenced production from Sam Ellwood (Bertie Newman, Feux), ‘Just A Glimpse’ captures mustbejohn’s melancholic flows and lyricism, offering transparency and introspectiveness “What you really scared of, everything we shared?”.
Recorded off the back of a hangover from hell, he paired the vocals with the melodies before adding an additional trumpet from Poppy Daniels (Easy Life, Blue Lab Beats). The release follows a year stacked with studio sessions, festival performances and a nationwide tour that saw him visit Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham, Bristol, Brighton and London for a sold-out headline show at The Grace.
He possesses the energy that effortlessly connects with his growing fanbase. Before becoming the musician in front of us, mustbejohn was born and raised in Hertfordshire, where he took it upon himself to use poetry as a creative outlet. Before his mid-teens, his poems turned to bars, and he began trading pocket money for studio times which meant traveling to and from London without telling his parents.
Sharpening his tools by creating everything between Grime, Rap, Dance, Electronic, and Afrobeats, he has found a winning formula. The 23-year-old’s music is an intersection of Rap and Electronic, providing the ultimate nostalgic feeling and honing in on his array of influences: Coldplay, Arctic Monkeys and Mike Skinner, Loyle Carer, and Tom Misch. Cult classics ‘Lucy’, ‘Jenny’s House’ and ‘Raining Colours’ have helped accumulate fans far and wide, simultaneously fueling his determination. Putting everything towards growing his reputation as a cult trailblazer, mustbejohn is now grateful to be turning down shifts at a local shoe shop to ensure his dream comes true. We cannot wait for mustbejohn to hit the Clash Live stage.
Tune in now…
EVENT DETAILS:
The event is 18+, please bring ID.
CLASH Live “Next Wave” @ Cafe Koko
Thursday 21st September 2023
Ground Floor, 74 Crowndale Rd,
London NW1 1TP
Doors: 7.00pm – 12.00am
Confirmed RSVP is essential for entry & please arrive early to avoid a queue. Sign-up for the guest list now and look out for an email from us in the coming days for all guests we can accommodate this month…