Soothsayers + Support
Overview
Please note, the advertised start time is when our doors will open, generally music starts one hour after doors.
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The secret of Soothsayers’ longevity is down to the band’s evolution, keeping them relevant in changing times. The band have produced 11 top quality studio albums showcasing song writing that exudes a joy of music and life, lyrically reflecting on social problems and political pitfalls. In Sep 2025 Soothsayers will release a new album, Fly Higher, celebrating 25 years since their first release. Singles from the album have already received extensive radio play, an album packed full of groove and melody that demonstrates that Soothsayers passion for creating uplifting and meaningful music burns as strong as ever.
Live performances are where the band take their organic unique and universally uplifting afro, jazz and dub infused sound to the next level combining high quality musicianship with a lyrical message, warm sonics and irresistible dance grooves.
Soothsayers have performed at an impressive list of festivals, venues and theatres including: Rototom Festival (Spain), WOMAD , The North Sea Jazz Festival, Dhaka World Music Festival, London Jazz Festival, Glastonbury, Barbados World Music Festival. Live radio sessions include BBC Radio 3, BBC radio London, BBC Radio 4, BBC World Service, JazzFM and more.
A reputation as a great live band and innovative studio producers has led to collaborations with top quality artists including a host of world famous Jamaicans like Johnny Clarke, Cornel Campbell, Michael Prophet, Little Roy as well as great work with UK based artists Mad Professor, Dennis Bovell, Earl 16 and Manasseh. Soothsayers’ band leaders Idris Rahman and Robin Hopcraft have also lent their skills to an array of other projects including Jerry Dammers Spatial AKA, Arun Ghosh, Aswad, Anoushka Shankar, “Fela” The Musical and the National Theatre and many more. Soothsayers are deeply involved in education and community action and in 2016 started a new project called Youthsayers engaging young musicians in Brixton, South London.
This highly successful project has performed at such as The Barbican, Royal Festival Hall, Freedom Sounds Festival - Cologne Germany, The Place Dance Theatre, Africa In The Square, Youth Music Proms at the Royal Albert Hall.
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“It’s complex, also fun, tickling your ears in all the right spots... Let Soothsayers soundtrack your journey across the winter and bring melodic colour to steely days ahead.” Backseat Mafia
“An album that only feels like it could arrive in 2020. It is of the times and for the times.” Louder Than War
"One of the finest slices of Anglo Caribbean fusion since The Specials in their prime......artfully mixing in funk and Afrobeat to their deep dub" The Guardian ****
"a truly intoxicating dub experience... featuring a galaxy of reggae and dub stars....like the best jambalaya it’s hot and spicy and will leave you grinning from ear to ear” Clash Magazine
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Please note we are unable to offer refunds. You can click here to view our full refunds policy.
Lineup
Good to know
Highlights
- 3 hours
- In person
Refund Policy
Location
Cobalt Studios
10 Boyd Street
Shieldfield NE2 1AP United Kingdom
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