We Out Here Festival returns for the third time, platforming true legends of the scene alongside exciting emerging talent.
Curated by broadcaster and DJ Gilles Peterson, in association with Worldwide FM & Brownswood Recordings, the festival returns for its third year at Abbots Ripton off the back of 2021’s sell-out edition.
Joining the musical dots between soul, hip hop, house, afro, electronica, jazz and beyond, We Out Here Festival strives to showcase both outstanding live music and some of the best record collections in the world.
With so many amazing acts to choose from, we thought we should help give you a helping hand as to what we'll be seeing over the coming days...
THURSDAY - 25 AUGUST 2022
Erica McKoy (DJ) - Main Stage
Erica McKoy is a broadcaster, presenter, writer and DJ from London. Her background has led her sets to be rich and varied - showcasing UK bass culture to American Jazz, South African House and everything in between and around.
Zoe's Shanghai - Main Stage
The Paris-based four-piece band released their first full-length album Lava Love in 2021. In the French region of Auvergne, with its mountain ranges & dormant volcanoes, Lava Love is a record of the dynamic flow of memory and meaning that poured out of the band and into an old stable adapted into a live ephemeral studio space.
Nicola is an Italian pianist, composer, producer and educator born in Southern Italy and living now in London.
Kay Young - LUSH LIFE
The young London-based artist, rapper, and producer Kay Young is causing a right stir right now - particularly on her appearance on the upcoming Blue Note Re:imagined II.
Helmed by producer and saxophonist Pete Cunningham, Ishmael Ensemble’s richly inventive 2019 debut A State Of Flow marked them out as an explosive new force in UK jazz, imbuing lush cinematic compositions with left-field dub and electronic sensibilities redolent of Bristol’s vital musical landscape.
Anushka - LUSH LIFE
Brighton-based duo Max Wheeler (producer) and Victoria Port (singer/songwriter) AKA Anushka transcend the UK jazz-electronic scene, melding dancefloor beats with sweet melodies, carried by mystifying female vocals.
FRIDAY - 26 AUGUST 2022
Gilles Peterson - Main Stage
Need we say much about the key driving force behind the festival? Gilles Peterson is a broadcaster, DJ and record collector who’s played a pivotal role in supporting forward-thinking underground music in the UK and beyond over the past three decades.
Camilla George - Main Stage
The Nigerian-born, critically acclaimed alto saxophonist Camilla George has been wowing the scene for a number of years, stunning us with a series of fascinating releases.
The Leeds-bornTC & The Groove Family are a 10-piece collective whose music celebrates the coming together of cultures, and the unity that music can provide for everyone. They explore grooves and genres from the UK and around the world, including afrobeat, breakbeat, jungle, jazz and highlife.
DoomCannon - Main Stage
Dominic Canning - aka DoomCannon - is a London-based composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist spearheading a plethora of forward-thinking, improvised jazz-inspired outfits, who has recently released his debut album with Brownswood.
Verushka - THE BIG TOP
VERUSHKA is a singer, songwriter, DJ and producer based in London whose music is a refreshing blend of new-school jazz and soul soundscapes, conscious, honest lyrics and warm vocals.
Amy Gadiaga - THE BIG TOP
Born and raised in the outskirts of Paris, Amy Gadiaga (double bass, vocals) is an old school jazz singer whose storytelling and the modern rhythms are inspired by artists such as D’Angelo and The Jacksons. Amy’s band offers energetic performances that celebrate artistry and freedom.
The Multi-award winning bassist, composer, and Jazz Revelations favourite Daniel Casimir has played a crucial role in the UK Jazz scene - having supported both contemporary and historic greats, alongside fostering his own introspective sound.
Surprise Chef - Main Stage
Surprise Chef are Melbourne’s cinematic soul journeymen, pushing vivid shades of instrumental jazz-funk with a DIY mentality.
Say She She (Live) - HENNESSY
The female-led, Brooklyn-based discodelic soul band Say She She are rising stars, who will transport you with their dreamy harmonies, catchy hooks and up-tempo grooves.
Sampology - ROLLER RINK
Sampology is a Producer, DJ, radio host for Worldwide FM and vinyl enthusiast since his teens, based in Meanjin/Brisbane, Australia.
Composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist, Neue Grafik has been building a strong rep for himself over the past few years, releasing records on labels such as Rhythm Section, 22a, CoOp Presents and Wolf Music. His sound is a hybrid of jazz, house and hip hop, all with his unique geographical flavours of African ethnicity, Parisian roots and a love for London sounds like broken beat & grime thrown into the mix.
Soccer96 - LUSH LIFE
An eclectic synth and drum duo who specializes in a heady blend of jazz, prog, and electronica, London's Soccer96 is the creation of Danalogue (Dan Leavers) and Betamax (Max Hallett), both of whom also play with electro-jazz/Afro-beat trio the Comet Is Coming.
15 Years Hessle Audio - RHYTHM CORNER
The Leeds-born, London-based label and collective Hessle Audio return for another takeover to celebrate 15 years. Responsible for Pangaea, Ben UFO, and Pearson Sound, they'll be inviting special guests Shanti Celeste and Bake.
Tim Garcia's Musica Macondo is one of the key LUSH LIFE takeovers over the course of the We Out Here Fest weekend in 2022.
London native Tim Garcia’s journey with music began promoting events in Nottingham as well as London. He later went on to set up his global music platform Música Macondo which, combined with his passion for eclecticism has landed him spots on Jazz FM (formerly) and Worldwide FM. His deep love of percussive and rhythmical music sees him traverse Electronica, Latin, Jazz, Brazilian and Afro-diasporic sounds in his sets.
The dance-orientated sound of British musician, producer and DJ Will “Quantic” Holland has enchanted fans and tastemakers across the world for nearly two decades, showcasing his artistry and rare ability to intertwine the electronic with the orchestral.
SATURDAY - 27 AUGUST 2022
Rebecca Vasmant's 8 Piece Ensemble formed following the sell-out Album With Love, From Glasgow, released in 2021, comprising of world-class Scottish musicians from the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra as well as Amanda Whiting of Jazzman Records / Gondwana. Through the ethereal, floating textures, the music tells a love story to Scotland, and the wonderful talents happening in the beautiful country.
Raquel Martins - LUSH LIFE
The young, Portuguese born-singer-songwriter grew up under the sun, listening to the endless classics from the Brazilian and jazz repertoire, but it was only when she discovered the world of contemporary hip-hop, soul and jazz music that she realised she could create something new with all the sounds she had been absorbing over the years.
Jelly Cleaver is a guitarist, producer and singer-songwriter based in South London. She's received the Steve Reid Innovation Award, is a Serious Take Five artist, and was nominated for an Ivors Composer Award.
With an eclectic taste in music, Jelly is heavily involved in both the jazz and DIY/post-punk scenes in London. She's also an activist, and a strain of political dissent runs through her music.
If you can't catch her Saturday, make sure to see her on Sunday (below).
Eddie Chacon - Main Stage
Described as a "low-key R&B legend" by the Fader, Eddie Chacon experienced proper, peak-nineties acclaim in the soul duo Charles and Eddie: they scored a global No. 1 in 1992 with “Would I Lie To You,” appeared three times on Top of the Pops, and featured on soundtracks from True Romance to Super Mario Bros.
Eddie has sold over 8 million records and wrote 11 top ten hits, and after an extensive hiatus, he returned in 2020 with his album “Pleasure, Joy and Happiness”, which saw him earn word-of-mouth plaudits from the Guardian, New York Times, MOJO, and more.
Producer, music creator, and DJ Adam Scrimshire was 14 when he started making music on an Amiga 500, with a Yamaha Tone Generator and an 8-Bit Sampler - known for his work with Wah Wah 45s, and later Albert's Favourites. His open musical mind has led to collaborations with some of the hottest names on the scenes, and has become a Jazz Revelations favourite.
Founder members of SNG (SecretNightGang) Mancs Callum Connell and Kemani Anderson have shared a love of writing music together since they were 14-year-old school friends. Hooking up with Stuart Whitehead (bass) in 2018, a summer of endless late nights was spent combining their shared vision writing an album of Soul, Funk, R&B, Gospel and everything in between.
Bandleader, multi-instrumentalist and producer, Emma-Jean Thackray is absolutely storming the scene. Her eclectic, dance-orientated style makes her universally loved, and is certainly a Jazz Revelations favourite.
The Shabaka Hutchings-led group The Comet is Coming is the soundtrack to an imagined apocalypse. In a warehouse somewhere in London in 2013, a meeting would take place between three musical cosmonauts.
Kyoto Jazz Massive - LOVE DANCIN'
DJ / Creative director of KYOTO JAZZ MASSIVE. Since forming "KYOTO JAZZ MASSIVE" as a DJ unit in the beginning of 1990s, they have built up the Crossover/Jazz Music scene in Japan, and have had successful careers overseas, inspiring and influencing many on the club scene.
LAANI - HENNESSY
Broadcaster and DJ Laani loves to express her eclectic taste through meshing her passion for nu jazz, neo-soul, afro riddims, bruk and house.
Mr Scruff - LOVE DANCIN'
As a DJ, Andy Carthy aka Mr. Scruff plays across the board, flitting between soul, funk, hip hop, jazz, reggae, latin, african, ska, disco, house, funk, breaks, soundtracks and loads more. As a producer he makes music that draws on these influences, with a large dose of cheek and good humour. His cartoon drawings illustrate gig flyers, record sleeves and CD covers, and usually accompany him at gigs as live animated visuals.
Hailing from London, Bradley Zero is quickly becoming the tastemaker of his generation. As founder of the Rhythm Section institution, Bradley has carved out a unique role for himself within the vibrant London scene as Resident Club DJ, Broadcaster and Label Boss of one of the most exciting new imprints today – Rhythm Section International.
Waldo's Gift - THE BIG TOP
The wonderful, Bristol-based Waldo’s Gift is the result of three like-minded musicians that have been given the time and space to let their sound naturally take shape.
Dam Swindle - Roller Rink
Dutch pair Lars Dales and Maarten Smeets quickly broke through in the electronic music scene in 2011. Since then they have become known for their widescreen approach to making and playing club-ready grooves. From deep to disco, tech to soul, they join the dots between the past and the present with their own sense of storytelling and do so in clubs around the world.
SUNDAY - 28 AUGUST 2022
Jelly Cleaver is a guitarist, producer and singer-songwriter based in South London. She's received the Steve Reid Innovation Award, is a Serious Take Five artist, and was nominated for an Ivors Composer Award.
With an eclectic taste in music, Jelly is heavily involved in both the jazz and DIY/post-punk scenes in London. She's also an activist, and a strain of political dissent runs through her music.
Dundundun - LUSH LIFE
6-piece Bristol-based band fusing Afro-latin rhythms with Jazz and Electronica. Hey-hitting, deep bass and soaring horns. Fresh, exciting and experimental.
The group are appearing as part of the Bristol-based Worm Discs stage takeover at LUSH LIFE.
Kahil El'Zabar - Main Stage
Chicago’s legendary spiritual jazz shaman Kahil El’Zabar is leading an enviable ensemble of young masters from his hometown.
Kahil El’Zabar ancient/future music, from swinging jazz that sings of his Chicago pedigree, to talking drums and soothing spiritual grooves that reconnect Black Classical Music with its African roots.
The bristol-based 8-piece band featuring China Bowls on vocals. Jazz, hip-hop, afrobeat, electronica. Snazzback sews intricate arrangements together with a common thread of improvisation, odd-meter cacophony, hypnotic melodies and an infectious looseness.
The group are appearing as part of the Bristol-based Worm Discs stage takeover at LUSH LIFE.
Natalie Slade - THE BIG TOP
Natalie Slade is a Sydney-based neo-soul powerhouse redefining the boundaries of her genre. A prolific collaborator, Slade is well-respected within the jazz, soul and hip hop scenes for her recognisable and innovative musicianship.
Coco Maria - RHYTHM CORNER
One of the most unique and uncompromising DJs in the world: Coco Maria is a selector, curator and radio host with impeccable taste. Hailing originally from Mexico and now based in Europe, she specializes in Brazilian, South American, Central American, and Caribbean wax.
RUN LOGAN RUN - LUSH LIFE
Run Logan Run are an alchemical fusion of surging, polyrhythmic alt-breakbeats and screaming guttural saxophone. Propelled by the kinetic ferocity of Matt Brown’s drums and guided by soul-deep melodies, motifs and cries unfurled from Andrew Neil Hayes’ tenor, the music that emerges is fiercely committed, questing and risk-taking.
The duo are appearing as part of the Bristol-based Worm Discs stage takeover at LUSH LIFE.
[ K S R ] - LUSH LIFE
In the last few years, Moss Side singer-songwriter [K S R] has emerged as a formidable talent in the UK’s R&B scene.
Singer, pianist, writer, poet and creative being, Allysha Joy, is a key member of Melbourne collective, 30/70.
Whether performing solo on Fender Rhodes or accompanied by her band, Allysha’s steady groove, husky vocal tone and unique style of writing emanates her own personal truth and illuminates a powerful feminine energy learning to be peaceful, giving and considerate of others.
Allysha Joy is appearing as part of First Word Records' LUSH LIFE takeover.
Legendary Brazilian jazz-funk trio Azymuth return to Europe in 2020, supporting the release of a two-volume album series of previously unreleased demo recordings from the early 1970s, via London-based label Far Out Recordings.
Formed in 1968 in Rio de Janeiro, Azymuth are responsible for carving out an entirely new sound, fusing jazz-funk with samba to create their own unique genre, referred to as ‘samba doido’ (crazy samba). Having recorded over 30 albums throughout an astounding 5-decade career, their latest release Fênix saw the trio explode back onto the international scene, proving once again why they’re widely considered to be Brazil’s most successful band.
Werkha hails from Manchester originally and released his debut EP back in 2012.
Following early praise from Gilles Peterson and the like, he we went on to release a series of records for Brighton-imprint Tru Thoughts.
He's provided remixes for Quantic, Marcos Valles, Dutch Uncles, Andrew Ashong & J-Felix, toured across Europe with Bonobo, Mr Scruff & Chet Faker and is working with poet/singer Keisha Thompson, additionally to composing music for documentaries.
Werkha has become known for a uniquely eclectic blend of electronics, broken beat, soul and jazz, nestled in an intersection of truly innovative British club music.
Werkha is appearing as part of First Word Records' LUSH LIFE takeover.
Kaidi Tatham - LUSH LIFE
Kaidi Tatham is a highly accomplished and prolific producer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter widely regarded as one of the architects of the U.K.'s broken beat scene. He's helmed dozens of projects and appeared in the credits of hundreds of releases since the 1990s, blending and switching between styles such as jazz fusion, house, hip-hop, neo-soul, and much more.
Kaidi Tatham is appearing as part of First Word Records' LUSH LIFE takeover.
Winners of ‘Best Group’ at the Urban Music Awards 2020, and at the Parliamentary Jazz Awards 2021 and lauded in NPR Austin 100 list, the much-in-demand group Kokoroko specialise in soul-shaking, horn-fuelled sounds with West African roots and Inner London hues.
IG Culture (New Sector Movement DJ Set) - LUSH LIFE
IG Culture is a selector/producer best known as a pioneer producer of the broken beat movement. He also was co-founder of the Legendary Co-op Club club at Londons Plastic People. Culture is one half of NameBrandSound with releases on Ninja Tune and Arena Yard. Ig recently launched CoOp Presents and founded Selectors Assemble and has done recent events for boiler room and dimensions.
IG Culture is appearing as part of First Word Records' LUSH LIFE takeover.