London Afrobeat Collective

+ special guests:
Dr AKP + Tee Pop + Kushie + guests
(celebrating DR AKP - THE ESSAY album launch)

+ DJs:
Jazzin The Park & Luke Out

Friday 11th July
The Ferret, Preston

Doors 7pm

To buy tickets for this event please visit our events page: London Afrobeat Collective tickets from Skiddle .

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“A fulsome evocation of Fela Kuti’s continually inspiring blend of The J.B.’s-style jazz-funk horns lashed to a relentless mix of funky highlife and Yoruba, all delivered with aplomb….” – Time Out London

London Afrobeat Collective are a tight-knit family of musicians from around the world, living in London and united by a love of afrobeat and a desire to take original music to new places.

This 8-strong collective from England, Italy, France, Congo, Argentina and New Zealand combine traditional afrobeat and hi-life with funk, jazz, Latin and dub to deliver party music born of their truly global DNA.

A regular hit on the UK and Europe touring circuit and celebrated for their raucous energy, heavy dance grooves and conscious lyrics, the band has rocked major stages from Glastonbury Festival (UK) to the Shrine in Lagos, Nigeria, via Imagina Funk (Spain), Fusion Festival (Germany), Cully Jazz (Switzerland), Tempo Latino (France), Earth Garden (Malta) and many more.

Taking inspiration from afrobeat father Fela Kuti as well as such artists as Ebo Taylor, Parliament Funkadelic and Havana d’Primera, LAC’s original music and multi-lingual performances in English, Spanish, Lingala and French have won them admirers across Europe.

Their fourth studio album Esengo (Canopy Records – release date 14 February 2024), which means Joy in Lingala includes the new single Topesa Esengo Na Motema (Let Us Give Joy To The Heart) with a remix by Bosq.

“Juanita Euka’s sinuously smooth vocals lead the way and the funk & soul horns synchronise perfectly with the flawless rhythm section and blissful guitars” – Simon Cross, Songlines Magazine, March 24

“In a genre short of female stars, vocalist Juanita Euka is a real find” – Mojo Magazine March 24

“…not only pays homage to the spirit of Fela Kuti but also embraces a bold approach to crafting original music that transcends traditional genre boundaries” – Jazziz.com March 24

“It has an energy and joie de vivre that would make even the greatest curmudgeon want to break into a smile and skip” Andrew Neal, Silentradio.com , Feb 24

with very special guests:

DR AKP

Join us for a special live showcase as Dr. AKP (Preston-based Afrobeat Artiste) launches his much-anticipated debut album The Essay. This 8-track project is a powerful sonic thesis, with titles like “Abstract,” “Introduction,” “Discussion,” “Conclusion,” and “References.” The Album is inspired by Dr. AKP’s academic journey (culminating in a PhD in Forensic Microbiology from Uclan) and marks his musical evolution, inviting fans and listeners on a rhythmic, intellectual, and emotional journey.

“It’s an honour to be able to launch my debut album The Essay as part of this exciting showcase.” - Dr AKP

TEE POP

Tee Pop is a UK-based Nigerian Afro-fusion artist and UCLan graduate with a Master’s degree. Launching his professional music career in Preston, Tee Pop blends Afrobeat, R&B, and contemporary sounds. Known for his magnetic stage presence, he brings a modern Nigerian soul to UK stages. As part of the London Afrobeat Collective showcase - and alongside Dr. AKP’s The Essay album launch - Tee Pop will be lighting up the stage with a sound that’s as global as it is grounded.

KUSHIE

Kushie is a Nigerian-born, Manchester-based singer, songwriter, and self-taught sound engineer whose rich vocals and magnetic performance style trace back to his early days in church and school choirs. With a B.A. in English and Literary Studies from Lead City University and a Master’s in Digital Media Management from Sheffield Hallam, Kushie blends lyrical depth with sonic polish. As part of the London Afrobeat Collective showcase at The Ferret, Kushie promises an unforgettable set.

+ DJs:

Jazzin The Park Productions bring the heat, with a satisfying stew of Afrobeat, House, Jazz, Soul, Latin, Boogie, Disco, Jazz-Funk, Broken Beat, Electronica & more.

Luke Out (fka Mr Breen)

Luke Breen began his DJ journey in the early 2000s with Herbal Sessions Soundsystem, playing at venues like Preston’s iconic Caribbean Club. After moving to Manchester, Luke became a regular DJ at club nights, free parties, and festivals like Beat Herder, Kendal Calling, and Sounds From The Other City. Now settled back in Preston with his family, Luke regularly DJs at local bars and clubs, delivering eclectic sets that could span anything from Jazz, Latin and Hip-Hop to Afrobeat, Funk, Deep House, and Jungle—always infused with Soul.

Supported by Lancashire Music Association.