Bossaphonik presents BCUC

Event information

On Friday 17th April Bossaphonik hosts for the first time a unique sensation coming all the way from Soweto, South Africa – BCUC (Bantu Continua Uhuru Consciousness).

BCUC are a special force to behold – their performances onstage are wild hedonistic rituals of trance-like tribal rhythms, Zulu chants and Afro-psychedelia through a prism of hip hop consciousness and a rock ‘n’ roll spirit. They fuse these elements into something truly original and deeply rooted. The seven strong ensemble sing in all eleven languages of South Africa and are fuelled by an array of drums and percussion and powered along by relentlessly inventive bass guitar.

From humble beginnings back in 2003, rehearsing in a shipping container a stone’s throw from the church where Desmond Tutu organised the escape of the most wanted anti-Apartheid activists of Soweto, BCUC have grown to become one of the world’s most celebrated African bands and one of South Africa’s most successful musical exports. They have performed at many of the biggest stages at some of the most important festivals: Glastonbury West Holts, Roskilde, Afropunk Brooklyn, Worldwide, Womad, Fusion, FMM Sines, Beaches Brew, Boomtown, Ostrava and many many more.

Like their elders of indigenous music, Bantu Continua Uhuru Consciousness sees its music as hedonistic trance, but also as a weapon of political and spiritual liberation. 2023 saw them win the prestigious Womex Artist Award, an accolade usually reserved for much older artists, in recognition of their fearless work ethic and prodigiously transformational live shows.

BCUC give contemporary voice to the ancestral traditions of indigenous peoples. With hip hop influences and punk-rock energy, they take the listener on an intriguing epic journey, sharing their controversial yet interesting views on modern Africa. They tackle the harsh realities of the voiceless, especially the plight of the uneducated workers at the bottom of the social food chain. BCUC taps into the elusiveness of the spirit world of ancestors by which they are inspired. The Africa portrayed by them is not poor, but rich in tradition, rituals and beliefs.

Their live performances contain an improvised spirit, no one knows beforehand where the song will take them. They bring their ideas into a zone where the music, the rhythm and the spirits take over until the song starts to form. BCUC just let it all flow out: inner turmoil, cries of rebellion, but also resilience and a search for healing, love, unity and compassion. You don't have to be from Soweto to feel the deep meaning and impact of this music. In these times of so much hate and division, BCUC are like a campfire for people to gather around.

“We bring fun and emo-indigenous Afro psychedelic fire from the hood,” says vocalist of BCUC Kgomotso Mokone.

“Without a doubt the best live act I saw” Gilles Peterson BBC Radio 6 Music

“The most impressive newcomers this year” The Guardian

Check out BCUC’s performance at the Womex Awards 2023:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIaQgGCZGSQ

Check out BCUC performing at Glastonbury 2019:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXoGLlcXKdo

Check out BCUC’s new album released this April, “The Road is Never Easy”
https://bcuc.bandcamp.com/album/the-road-is-never-easy

As ever, following on from the live band is a Bossaphonik club session and for only the second time at Bossaphonik we’re excited to welcome legendary DJ Count Skylarkin. An institution who needs no introduction to Oxford folk - known particularly for vintage and new reggae, rocksteady, ska, dancehall, soul, hip hop and jungle – he will play a global-oriented set at this Bossaphonik event alongside some of his trademark sounds. Count Skylarkin has shared stages with major figures of Jamaican music such as The Wailers, The Specials, Toots & the Maytals, Lee “Scratch” Perry, The Skatalites, Max Romeo and a whole host more of international luminaries. His “Disco Shed” soundsystem has travelled to all the best UK festivals, usually in double figures every summer for the last 20 years!

“A true unsung hero” David Rodigan BBC Radio

“Probably Ireland’s best-kept secret” Zone Magazine

Providing the warm up set before the live band is DJ Chez Woods, a great local Oxford DJ who specialises in an original selection of jazz dance and global grooves. Check out his regular radio show on mixcloud.com/ChezWoods. He’s also starting up a new club night “Palm Wine” at The Library pub on Cowley Road in May.

Friday 17th April
Bossaphonik Presents BCUC + DJ Count Skylarkin
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. They stop opposite the venue)
8pm – 1:30am
Band on at 9:30pm

£17 advance + £1.70 booking fee (wegottickets.com) / £19 student ID on door / £22 door

See ya there!