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Review: Nubiyan Twist, Electric – ‘A beacon of hope’
A gift to our ears, the grace of Nubiyan Twist. A staggering show, this nine-piece genre-bending band lit up Electric Bristol with chaos, rebellion and utter joy.
This performance, presented in Bristol as part of the DIASPORA! festival of global cultures and creativity, was a masterclass in how live music will never lose its power.
First up to the stage was duo O. Formed in the midst of the 2020 lockdown, this is a band unafraid to push boundaries.
With simply a baritone saxophone played by Joseph Henwood and Tash Keary on drums, they seem to stretch their sound from a screaming underbelly of club tracks to soulful jazz improvisation within seconds, fusing elements of post-punk within electrically charged saxophone distortion.
They hold the dexterity of bands such as Geese or tracks like Paranoid Android yet achieved with the only two instruments. Piccolos, panpipes, keyboard melodies and electric overdubs are all produced live through a loop machine, distortion pedals and a single saxophone.
Baritone-sax player Joe, from duo O., is an original Nubiyan Twist member who played with them from 2011 for over ten years – photo: Kai Hall-Nun
Keary’s tight, ticking beats push the sound to unbelievable heights with tense builds and drops, an urgency for noise and release within the wall of sound O. creates.
Henwood casually opens, saying “We’re gonna play a bunch of different styles of music for you”, an understatement of the ages in comparison to their showcase of genres, tempos and styles they casually flick through in a short set.
They hold their audience with comforting hands from the get-go, so entranced you can hear the hi-hat rattle with anticipation as Henwood indulges in a soulful solo, before they burst with such extravagance it’s hard to comprehend how they create this sound with such ease and perfection.
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The power of live music can never be underestimated again after watching Nubiyan Twist. A band heralding from Leeds, formed in 2011, they are credited for their belief in the ‘art form of a Big Band’ and their confidence in fusing inspiration ranging from afro beat to garage, carnival, traditional jazz and more.
But what is truly magical is their presence on stage: effortlessly cool in their individuality yet coming together to create a sound which celebrates individual talent, community and culture, and joins us together in the necessity to dance!
The project is fronted by Tom Excell whose voice ignites the set – photo: @capetowninternationaljazzfest
Unexpectedly, the set begins with the ominous, digitalised voice of frontman Tom Excell, posing as the voice of AI looming over all at this current uncertain time of surveillance and artistic insecurity.
He implores us not to “take it personally” as technology takes over the livelihood of the crowd who are “potentially slightly stoned, depressed” and ultimately powerless. But there is no doubt that Nubiyan Twist reclaim this space.
Chasing Shadows is their newest album, and it has purpose – for noise, for chaos, and for the people. The result is an electric mix of feel good rhythms, high energy tracks and soulful instrumentation which screams of personality.
The gig is an unashamed dance party from start to finish – photo: Poppy Beresford
They effortlessly blend soul and dance sections, with the entire crowd following like moths to a flame; to my surprise it was only one song in that new addition to the band, vocalist Eniola Idowu, was leading the eager crowd into a two-step to Lights Out.
Her smooth vocalisation blends perfectly with the band’s distinctive sound, especially within choral sections of breathtaking harmonies. Credit must also be given to the fabulous four on brass, pushing that joyous ‘big band’ sound to dizzying heights, so infectious that it shakes our souls into moving to the beat.
The four-piece horn section is a huge part of Nubiyan Twist’s sound – photo: @fbphotos3
Yet the most incredible spectacle that Nubiyan Twist produced within their 90 minute set was community. They instinctively turn a tightly-packed crowd of strangers into a dancefloor of friends.
The room is filled with smiles, laughter and singing; groups of friends holding hands and shuffling to the beat, strangers stepping together to a trumpet solo, or a mother and daughter embracing as the band talk of the meaning behind Carry Me.
They welcome all kinds of dancers, encouraging all to be authentically themselves and move to the music however your body wants to.
It was the most joyous experience to watch the crowd as true colours were set free to the music, realising that it is an instinct to dance when music is beautiful – forged from centuries of history, culture, struggle and rejoicing.
Nubiyan Twist is a beacon of hope against our ever-evolving world where live music is slowly falling to the sidelines in the shadow of Artificial Intelligence.
They sing with a passion for true art: to empower, to empathise, and to rise above into a place of freedom and joy.
Main image: @fbphotos3
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