julianknxx and friends presents Caleb Femi + Shingai

About

In conversation with julianknxx, the artists explore questions of self-making – from the challenges of communicating one’s narrative as an artist to navigating African pasts and British futures. These conversations are interspersed with poetry readings and musical performances.

The evening draws from poet and creative director julianknxx’s buzzing network of musicians, fashion designers and other creatives to place Black British artists in conversation with each other. Against a looming post-Brexit Britain, these conversations centre the contributions of African immigrants to London life. The event’s intimate atmosphere, framed by the lived experience of the artists, stimulates aesthetic but also personal and even spiritual conversations. Creating a moment for reflection on significant creative practices, julianknxx and friends is a live archiving of Black British history.

julianknxx is an interdisciplinary poet in search of vulnerability and vibes. Hailing from Sierra Leone via South London, julianknxx is inspired by Sierra Leonean traditions of oral storytelling, and moves fluidly between the written word, music and visual art. He presented his debut poetry collection, BROKEN, in a sold-out performance at Southbank Centre in 2018. Knox is also a budding curator, having founded julianknxx and friends, an intimate yet accessible evening of conversations and performances in 2019. julianknxx’s poetry has been featured at venues and on platforms including the Jazz Café and the BBC.

Poet and director Caleb Femi is featured in the Dazed 100 list of the next generation shaping youth culture. Using film, photography and music, Caleb pushes the boundaries of poetry, both on the page, in performance and through digital mediums. He has directed short films commissioned by the BBC and Channel 4 and written poems commissioned by the Tate Modern, The Royal Society for Literature, St Paul’s Cathedral, the BBC, the Guardian and many more. Between 2016 – 2018, Caleb was the Young People’s Laureate for London. Caleb performs and speaks internationally at major institutions and festivals.

Shingai, legendary frontwoman and bassist of The Noisettes, ignites a groundbreaking chapter with her new EP, Ancient Futures. The EP finds Shingai at the vanguard of a new era of pop. Live instruments and future forward programming sit comfortably beside the melodies and rhythms inspired by her Southern African heritage. With an effervescent soundscape, the record is fearlessly infused with a soulful yet boisterous energy, making the music electrifying and compelling. Distinguished for her memorising and dramatic performances, be prepared to be taken on a sonic odyssey.