Bossaphonik Presents Newen Afrobeat

Event information

On Friday 20th June Bossaphonik hosts Newen Afrobeat in their Oxford debut, joining us all the way from Santiago, Chile.

Newen Afrobeat are amongst the world’s most respected Afrobeat collectives, a pioneering band whose primary influences were born in the late 1960’s in Nigeria by the legends of the genre – Fela Kuti and Tony Allen. These original pioneers fused West African highlife, funk and jazz creating a new polyrhythmic and highly danceable groove. Newen Afrobeat is a South American expression of Afrobeat, formed in 2009 by composer and singer Nicholas Urbina. The band are unusual for Afrobeat in being fronted by two female vocalists but with songs in the tradition having themes of social messages - on indigenous people’s rights, environmental causes, women’s empowerment and multiculturalism.

With 15 years of experience, Newen Afrobeat have released 5 studio albums which include both their original music and celebrations of Afrobeat classics – their two volumes of “Newen Plays Fela” feature outstanding reworkings of some of Fela Kuti’s classics. Their version of the track “Opposite People” features Fela’s son Sean Kuti and is the most watched Afrobeat video on YouTube with 14 million views. The band have performed in over 20 countries across Latin America, North America, Africa and Europe – playing at some of the most important world and jazz music events such as Felabration Nigeria, Womad, Womex and Montreal Jazz Festival.

The band have earned the respect of the present-day pioneers of Afrobeat - they have collaborated and befriended legends of the genre such as Tony Allen, Femi Kuti, Sean Kuti, Cheick Tidiane Seck, Oghene Kologbo and Dele Sosimi who have validated and blessed Newen’s sound for its freshness and unique stamp. Today Newen Afrobeat is a celebration of cultural integration between Latin America and Africa with energetic and colourful staging, while reaffirming the social messages that makes Afrobeat such a powerful musical movement. The band due to grace our Bossaphonik stage will be an 11 piece featuring a 4 part horn section, 3 percussionists, bass, guitar and vocalists.

“Grietas solidifies Newen Afrobeat’s role as global Afrobeat ambassadors, proudly infusing their Latin roots into their music. Beyond showcasing their musical prowess, the album serves as a rhythmic manifesto and a testament to their unwavering dedication to social and environmental activism” Songlines Magazine - on Newen’s 4th LP Grietas

"I played with Newen, and now it's one of my favourite bands in the world." Tony Allen - Musician and co-creator of Afrobeat.

“Another strong display of their colorful and reverential take on the genre, featuring lively rhythms, sweet horn-accented instrumentation, and jubilant vocals.”
KEXP Radio (US)

Check out the popular Newen Afrobeat video of “Opposite People” featuring Sean Kuti and Cheick Tidiane Seck:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcUwBWzziTQ

Check out a live video of an original Newen track “Mare Mare” featuring Dele Sosimi:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODHOOdafgsI

Check out a video of “Open Your Eyes” featuring Oghene Kologbo (guitarist with Fela Kuti):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwtjivFAjpU

Following on from the band as ever is a Bossaphonik club session with resident DJ Dan Ofer & DJ Badger treating the dancefloor til 1:30am to the sounds of…
Jazz Funk * Afrobeat * Highlife * Afro Jazz * Brazilica * Latin Jazz * Cumbia * Global Hip Hop * Balkan Beats * Soul Jazz * Electro Swing * Global Grooves Galore * Nu Jazz Bizniz!

Friday 20th June
Bossaphonik Presents Newen Afrobeat + Bossaphonik DJs
Cowley Workers Social Club, Between Towns Road. OX4 3LZ (Near Templars Square Shopping Centre. Regular buses 1 and 5 from City Centre go up Cowley Road and back til 2:55am. Stopping opposite the venue)
8pm – 1:30am
Band on at 9:30pm
**Greater savings on advance tickets**
£17 advance + £1.70 booking fee (wegottickets.com) / £19 student ID on door / £22 door

See ya there!