JAWARI is a multi-disciplinary collective redefining the boundaries of contemporary global jazz. Led by sitarist and composer Tommy Khosla, the core lineup features Latin Grammy awardee and Aterciopelados (Europe) member Gregorio Merchán on percussion, Taylor Frost on guitar and Billie Sophoclides on saxophone. Grounded in Indian Classical tradition while embracing global influences, JAWARI’s sound is both expansive and intricately woven.

Their debut album, ROAD RASA, released in December 2024 with support from Help Musicians and the British Arts Council, showcases the collective’s unique musical vision. Following sold-out gigs across London, performances at the Paris Olympics, and a standout set at SXSW, JAWARI is rapidly establishing itself as a bold voice in the global jazz scene.

With a commitment to collaboration and musical exploration, JAWARI continues to craft immersive sonic experiences that transcend genre and tradition.

Hromada Collective is a Ukrainian folk singing group that practices polyphonic tradition from all over Ukraine. They came together in August 2024 to perform at the opening of Noel Faucett's documentary photography exhibition "Take only what you can carry", bringing an emotional level of awareness of Russia's war to the art world. Ever since then, Hromada have been working together to learn and share Ukrainian folk singing tradition through performances, fundraisers and workshops.

“Mandrake Handshake model their range on bygone tropes, with one foot in the present and another in the intergalactic ether.”
9/10 The Line Of Best Fit

“This is a debut that is hard to describe and that works in its favour, it is a fascinating listen that defies categorisation but never derails. These are musicians of the highest order and clearly this is a labour of love that has been a long time in the making.”
9/10 Clash Music

The Mandrake Handshake is a hypnotic psych collective formed in Oxford in 2018. Influenced by krautrock, funk, Japanese animation, and Latin pastoral poetry, they have created a unique style called 'Flowerkraut'. Their music can be danced to with wild abandon or used for meditation, serving as a fluorescent soundtrack for exploring the inner worlds of the mind.

Having partnered with cult indie label Nice Swan for their 'Introduces...' series last year, Mandrake Handshake has quickly become one of the most exciting new acts in the UK psychedelic scene. They have found label-mates in Opus Kink, Malady, and Anorak Patch.

Their aim is to bring listeners to the zenith of psychedelic high-fidelity and help them fully understand what they may only hint at knowing. This is just the beginning of their journey - this is 'Flowerkraut', this is the Mandrake.

The Transylvanian Ceilidh is a vibrant music and dance experience rooted in the authentic traditions of Roma communities in Transylvania. Performed by Roma musicians, the music comes directly from village repertoires—passed down through generations and rarely heard outside of these communities.

Following the format of the Scottish ceilidh—a social dance tradition that closely mirrors the way music and dance are shared in Transylvanian villages—the event brings people together on the dance floor in a lively, communal setting. An expert dance caller guides participants through the steps, making it accessible to everyone.

Blending these parallel traditions, the Transylvanian Ceilidh offers a rare opportunity to experience living Roma culture in an inclusive, high-energy celebration.

The Palestinian Sound Archive is determined to preserve Palestinian audio history through different mediums : by re-releasing music/sound recordings (in physical and digital formats), through club nights and radio sets, through audio-visual installations, live performances and storytelling sessions which situate the music in their cultural, social and political contexts. Working with the archive for the past five years, it has become clear that it is not only these sounds that need to be safeguarded, but the extraordinary histories and experiences of the musicians who made them, which form part of the broader Palestinian story.

We have (so far) uncovered hundreds of stories of Palestinian artists, which we share through live performances: “Inside the Palestinian Sound Archive”, focused on different musicians, and the wider music industry, including tales of how they made and distributed their work in the face of displacement, censorship, exile, persecution, arrests, the First and Second Intifadas and other major events. 

The Palestinian Sound Archive was founded by Mo’min Swaitat in 2019 but is comprised of and supported by freelance visual and sound artists, musicians, DJs, curators, organisers and researchers, without whom the work would not be possible. 

This event explores archival practice as a decolonial methodology and act of resistance, through sharing archival sounds and images that preserve and document Palestinian heritage, culture, celebrating, dance and resistance.

Formed in college as a music studies project that quickly took on a life of its own, Crescent built their reputation the long way — playing the local pub circuit and performing two 45-minute sets filled with blues-soaked psychedelic classics, off-kilter indie and their own original material.

An intense run of shows sharpened the band’s identity and built word-of-mouth momentum across the North East live scene. That rise led to a support slot for The Futureheads across two nights at The Fire Station in Sunderland — before the band had even released a single. Their debut releases drew early radio support, championed by BBC Introducing North East and Amazing Radio (UK & US).