After their critically acclaimed album Where I’m Meant To Be hit the UK Top 30, Ezra Collective have lined up a series of UK gigs.
As part of the run of shows, Ezra Collective will headline at Manchester’s Albert Hall in February. The UK headline dates also include a hometown show at London’s O2 Brixton Academy.
The contemporary jazz/pop collective will headline four UK shows as part of their wider European run.
Ezra Collective’s new album takes the band’s hybrid sound to the next stage, brimming with confidence, energy and featuring special guests contributions from Sampa The Great, Kojey Radical, Emeli Sande and Nao with spoken contributions from Tony Allen and Steve McQueen.
The band’s upcoming tour also follows the release of recent BBC 6-Music playlisted single, No Confusion featuring Kojey Radical and an accompanying video directed by Douglas Bernhardt. The single celebrates Nigerian style and culture and pays tribute to the late drummer Tony Allen, an inspirational friend and mentor to Ezra Collective’s bandleader Femi Koleoso. Non Confusion opens with a conversation between the two: “Drum lessons with Uncle Tony didn’t just change my life, but Ezra Collective’s”, explains Koleoso. “The most valuable thing he ever taught me was, always be yourself. Be who you are. Be proud of who you are. When you truly are who you’re meant to be, you have no confusion. Confusion by Fela Kuti is one of the only recorded drum solos by Uncle Tony – it’s so him, no one else could have played it. This track is so us. We’re at a place where we really know who we are as a band – and there’s No Confusion about it.”
When do Ezra Collective headline at Manchester’s Albert Hall?
Ezra Collective headline at Manchester’s Albert Hall on 23 February 2023. The Manchester gig is one of four UK dates they are playing:
18 February – Bristol, O2 Academy
19 February – Glasgow, SWG3
23 February – Manchester, Albert Hall
24 February – London, O2 Brixton Academy
image of Ezra Collective courtesy Aliyah Otchere
