Wordplay Top Picks - GALA
GALA Festival has announced its full line-up for the seventh instalment, taking place across the May Bank Holiday weekend (Friday May 26th – Sunday May 28th 2023). Returning to its home in Peckham Rye Park, GALA builds on the success of last year’s sold out event. Wearing its independent spirit with pride, the festival continues to celebrate diversity within the dance music community, with a varied line-up spanning house, disco, jazz, techno, jungle and afrobeat.
We are so excited to be attending GALA this year! Here are our must see acts! Have a gander at the playlist we made below
Credit: Joseph Bishop
Jordan Rakei
Multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, producer, and songwriter Jordan Rakei has been constantly evolving with each and every project. Rakei gave an incredible performance for NPR’s coveted Tiny Desk Concert series. He has collaborated with rap legend Common, Loyle Carner (with whom he co-wrote, produced and performed on ‘Ottolenghi’ and the Jorja Smith-featuring “Loose Ends”), Tom Misch and Alfa Mist. He has also joined Chic’s Nile Rodgers for a writing session and recorded with Terrace Martin, producer for Kendrick and Snoop Dogg, and Herbie Hancock.
NiNE8
Think of NiNE8 as the U.K alt hip hop version of avengers assemble. Between Biig Piig, Lava La Rue, Mac Wetha, Bone Slim, LORENZORSV and Nige this group shows a crossover of what happens when you put all these underground UK artists with rising solo careers in a tiny hotboxed bedroom studio together to form a supergroup.
Nubya Garcia
Nubya Garcia is a multi-award winning saxophonist and composer. The London-based jazz player debuted on NPR’s Tiny Desk (Home) Concert, coming off the heels of a Pitchfork ‘Best New Music’ honour and a Rolling Stone ‘Album of the Month’ mention. The New York Times described SOURCE as “a life’s worth of experiences into an hour long listen.”
Jelani Blackman
Jelani Blackman heavily influenced by r&b and soul, yet coming up at a time when Grime was everywhere; Jelani’s sound swerves stereotypes, blending the hard with the soft, the dark with the light; reflected in an impressively diverse roll call of collaborators that spans from Brian Eno to Burna Boy and Wolf Alice to Big Zuu.
Jamz Supernova
As one of the most exciting upcoming DJ's in the UK right now, JAMZ SUPERNOVA has had a trailblazing couple of years – from community radio to BBC Radio 1 to Glastonbury, her passion and dedication to her craft is unrivalled. Her hard work hasn't gone unnoticed – with Sam Gellaitry, Dornik, Seinabo Sey, Lion Babe, Little Simz, Sasha Keable, Toddla T, DJ Semtex, Tala, and Rome Fortune all inviting Jamz to warm up for them on various shows.
Credit: luce + harry
Cousin Kula
Cousin Kula have created their own musical universe of otherworldly pop serenity - existing on a similar plane to contemporaries such as Connan Mockasin, Mildlife, Toro Y Moi, Mac DeMarco and HOMESHAKE. Catching the attention of renowned tastemaker Bradley Zero with their 'Casa Kula Cassette' EP at the end of 2020, the Rhythm Section founder has swiftly taken the Bristol 5 piece under his wing, with him commenting:
“The band balance an outsider approach with more hooks than you can shake a stick at... the result being a gently beguiling sound that effortlessly draws you in, revealing more character with each listen.”