Brainchild Festival

The award-winning Local Action label (home of DJ Q, UNIIQU3, India Jordan, Finn and many more) celebrate their 10th year with a showcase of label talent at Brainchild in 2022. Lineup incoming 👀👀👀👀

London-based producer, DJ & label boss Ahadadream represents percussive club sounds from around the world and draws influence from UK Funky, GQOM, Kuduro, Amapiano and beyond. His own productions are unapologetic stripped back club weapons which have been supported by the likes of Four Tet, Scratch DVA & Toddla T and his ‘drum dubs’ edit series are a regular feature at parties around the world (including a Rosalía bootleg, that she co-signed herself!).

He is the co-founder of influential London label More Time Records which is regularly supported by leading tastemakers such as Ben UFO, Giles Peterson, Benji B, Dixon and more. The label releases drum-focussed club music from all over the world (previous artists hailing from Ghana, Trinidad, South Africa & more) and marries it with a rugged UK edge.

After curating some of Boiler Room’s landmark moments in the platform’s recent years (including the Bass & Percs series), Ahad founded No ID, a London party focusing on spotlighting and improving representation of South Asian DJs . He is also a dedicated radio presenter with his output including a year long residency on the BBC. 

Bushbby is a British-Colombian DJ-come-producer based in London, who champions the rhythms and roots of Latin American music. Alongside hosting the bi-monthly ’Candela Viva’ show on Threads Radio and being a resident DJ at both FLAWA (Festival of Latin American Women in Arts) and the long-standing & deeply loved Movimientos club night, she has also been an active campaigner in amplifying the voices of the Latinx diaspora.

Having grown up around sound systems in both the Colombian Caribbean and UK underground, Bushbby’s sets are a celebration of these roots – blending the likes of Cumbia, Champeta and Dembow with high-energy electronic beats!

Taking over the Kite Bar all day on Friday is CANDELA VIVA❣️☄️  Candela Viva is a London based platform created by Bushbby to celebrate Latin American roots, sounds, culture and people. Spotlighting Latinx artists at the festival, Bushbby will be joined by the incendiary Desta French, Colectiva, Papaoul, filling the festival with their collective spirit and sounds. 

Since 2021, Candela Viva has existed as a bi-monthly show on Threads Radio and has been putting on regular club nights showcasing exciting talent from the Latinx diaspora here in the UK. Candela Viva has worked with artists such as Reyna Tropical, Desta French, Jimena Angel, Akolá Tambó & Nielaa420, with musical styles spanning from Afro-Colombian folklore, contemporary Latinx fusions of R&B, Salsa, Reggaeton with exciting electronic beats weaving through Spanish and English (or Spanglish) lyrics. 

Candela Viva was born out of the want and need for the Latinx creative community to be represented by Latinx people. With Latin American music becoming increasingly popular, Candela Viva wants this to be reflected at every level within the industry and counter the white male-dominated hierarchy in music and arts.

Saxophonist, composer and arranger Chelsea Carmichael is an understated innovator and educator. She’s a warm and hypnotic player, who brings subtle and considered improvisation to everything she does.

Primo cultural instigator Shabaka Hutchings noted her potential and invited her to record the first release his new brand new Native Rebel label. He wrote a set of songs for her, which she worked up at RAK studios with Eddie Hick (Sons of Kemet), Dave Okumu (The Invisible) and Tom Herbert (The Invisible; Polar Bear) and the resulting recordings comprise her 2021 debut album The River Doesn’t Like Strangers.

Chelsea has already been part of a Mercury-nominated band – she played on SEED Ensemble’s 2019 Driftglass – and currently plays with Theon Cross, the Neue Grafik Ensemble and the hyper-popular Outlook Orchestra. She also writes and arranges for her own Chelsea Carmichael Ensemble, which sold out Ronnie Scott’s when they performed their tribute to John Coltrane’s ‘Giant Steps’ on the record’s 60th anniversary.

She grew up in Warrington with her parents, who were both dancers on the Northern jazz and funk scene, dipping into her dad’s record collection and absorbing the musical culture of the Jamaican side of her family. She began with piano and later picked up the saxophone, playing in big bands and as part of the Wigan Youth Jazz Orchestra (WYJO). “It was essential to my development,” she says of this time. “The whole thing was super inspiring and really spurred me. It was the first time I realised, it’s not just about practising, there’s a social element too. It was a massive part of the direction I’ve gone in.”

Her academic and musical explorations include a focus on one particularly rich seam. “I’ve been really delving into the lineage of Black British excellence within jazz.” It’s a sound she loves and it’s a lineage she’s joining as an artist and educator. As well as working as Musical Director for the NYJO Jazz Messengers, she’s been delivering lectures on Black British music at Goldsmiths.

Every second Tuesday, Donna Leake and Haseeb Iqbal have been soundtracking dozens of very focused friends playing chess at the Standard Hotel in Kings Cross. The synergy is astounding, and they’ve recently expanded to invite live musicians to join, and taken Chessidency to pastures new!

So Chessidency’s coming on tour, everybody. Kite Bar, Saturday morning, it’s happening. Bring Your Own Board if you can!

COLECTIVA explores the spaces between Afro-Latin music and Jazz while reflecting on themes of sisterhood and female empowerment. 

Blending wild horn lines with Afro-Latin groove and experimental textures, COLECTIVA’s thoughtful arrangements are rooted in the sounds of Africa, Latin America and the diaspora, creating a genre the group have affectionately dubbed jazz tropicaliente (hot-tropical-jazz).

Their debut single, Under The, written in collaboration with jazz pianist Maria Grapsa, premiered with Sounds and Colours magazine in April 2021, receiving huge global radio plays and DJ support from the likes of Huey Morgan and Jamz Supernova on 6 Music, Jazz FM’s Chris Philips and Tim Garcia, and Toshiro Matsuura and Papaoul on Worldwide FM, amongst many others. 

Living together, nestled in the sun-drenched hills on the outskirts of Bristol, Cousin Kula have created their own musical universe of otherworldly pop serenity with distinct but cohesive elements: “the possibilities of jazz, the emphatic energy of club culture, and the sonic tapestries of psychedelia… to name but a few” CLASH remark.

The latest band to emerge out of the buoyant Bristol music scene, Cousin Kula fluttered into the collective consciousness at the end of 2021 with their debut full-length album on Rhythm Section. A timeless slice of psychedelic soul and their most accomplished recording to date.

Daisy George has been active in the London jazz scene for many years, performing as a bassist for established artists such as Poppy Ajudha and Jas Kayser. Now, having developed her own solo project, she’s ready to self-release her debut EP in 2022. Featuring collaborations with Lady Sanity and Mohan, the unique sound combines aspects of contemporary jazz, 90s hip-hop beats and 70s rock-pop melodies.

Taking influence from other successful young artists writing jazz-influenced music, Daisy wants to bring the genre to a wider community of people where people can enjoy it, dance, and express themselves without judgement.

She performed the unreleased tracks for Brainfeeder records ‘The Hit’ livestream in April 2021, and was interviewed both on Soho Radio and Collette Cooper’s ‘Sisters in the Shadows’ podcast, as well as being featured in Jazzwise magazine’s May 2021 edition.

Armed with her double bass and band, she played our recent winter edition of DIGS and brought some miiighty energy to the Fox & Firkin. We psyched to do it all again at Bentley.

A LatinX powerhouse and passionate performer & songwriter, Desta French has emerged from the growing LatinX music scene in London, proudly wearing both her Latin American heritage and London upbringing with pride. Having grown up in Camden Town to immigrant Colombian/Italian parents, Desta’s music is a blend of RnB, Salsa, Latin Jazz, Hip-Hop, and Soul, which culminate in her own distinctive sound. She is the first U.K. born LatinX artist to have an entirely Spanish song played on BBC Radio, and has been supported by prominent tastemakers like DJ Target and Jamz Supernova, as well as being pipped as ‘one to watch’ on Tim Ferris’s legendary Mailing list. 

Desta’s debut track ‘Shame’ would have been your first introduction to her world. She was invited to the Youtube sensation ‘Colors’ studio (notorious for showcasing new and independent talent) to perform shortly after the release of this very first single. Her performance has now been watched over 2 million times.

Desta represents her culture not only through her music, but also her newly created cultural platform ‘Bonita’ formed with fellow Colombian-born producer Alma De La Selva which focuses on highlighting alternative Latin culture. 2021 saw the start of their regular club and live music events, as well as their monthly slot on Soho Radio.

Her most recent body of work ‘Bendecida’ shows her flair in blending Spanish and English language with the flavours of hip-hop, cumbia, Afrobeat and RnB. She is currently carving out a South American tour, as well as working on her most exciting music release to date. 

After releasing their first project entitled “The Market” on Soundcloud in early 2020, Haroun has forged their own sonic identity within London’s neo-soul & alternative RnB scenes by injecting a dash of Prince-esque funk and a pinch of 80’s disco glitter.

The French-American-Morrocan artist (now based in South-East London), brings together an array of musical influences, from Motown’s Divas to dancefloor-focused electronic sounds, to playfully reflect on self-care, sex positivity and the important of letting go through dance. A message we can get behind!

Their latest single ‘RIDE’ makes reference to the Ballroom scene with a burning desire to underline the vital role of queer black culture in shaping the pop music of today. Check out Ride and Dreamboy here.

Ifeoluwa (AKA Yewande Adeniran) is a multidisciplinary artist, writer, mentor and academic. As a DJ, their focus is on fusing together global drum-heavy sonics, the darker side of UK club music, and abstract left-field techno to take club sets by storm. They have supported the likes of Objekt, Batu, mumdance, SHYBOI, LSDXOXO, India Jordan, Umfang, Helena Hauff and Giant Swan amongst many others, as well as international gigs and numerous sold-out headline shows across the UK. 

Yewande is also well known for heading up INTERVENTION, the DJ and production workshop that travels the country offering a welcoming space for women and all marginalised people to come together and celebrate all things dance. You can learn more about INTERVENTION with their recent Resident Advisor Exchange Podcast and contributions to the ongoing DJ Mag Selections series.

Léa played Brainchild in 2019 as part of Touching Bass’ takeover in the Kite Bar. The last two years have been big ones of Léa, as detailed by Crack mag: The French-Martinican singer, songwriter and producer had only recently moved to London when she landed the gig in 2020. After relocating in 2019, she began to tentatively share music online – songs like the understated folk of houseonahill and the shiver-inducing avant-R&B of Letter to Anyone. Soon she struck up friendships with like-minded producers Vegyn, Wu-Lu and Kwake Bass. Less than a year later, she was standing in the booth across from one of the UK’s best-loved electronic artists, collaborating on this Joy O tune. We’ve invited her back for 2022, she returns to take on the Brainstage! Welcome back Léa. We recommend checking out this dreamy Boiler Room performance of hers.

Mansur Brown is a 24 year old producer, multi-instrumentalist and gift from the heavens. His sound is hard to box into one genre, effortlessly fusing R&B, Hip Hop, Ambient, Rock and Electronic into one palette. Check out his Boiler Room set to get a real flavour. 🔥

Having released his debut album Shiroi in 2018, followed by the Tesuto EP with Soulection in 2020, Mansur quickly crafted his own unique and signature sound. Tesuto called in a more futuristic and clubbier side to the music, with the addition of other musical influences such as Trap and Ambient soundscapes. He followed up with his second album titled ‘Heiwa‘ in 2021 on his own label – Amai Records.

His virtuosic guitar playing can found in videos online such as his Soulection radio session and elsewhere on his social media.

There’s no doubt in our minds that we’re in for a transcendental experience…

​​Mina & Bryte first met in Accra, Ghana in 2017, and instantly connected over their shared love of global club music. Since then they have released several singles, and their debut EP as a duo Abeka Bugatti.–> click this to get DANCIN’ ☄️

The duo have toured internationally at venues and festivals including Berghain, MUTEK, Cakeshop (Seoul), and Nyege Nyege Festival. Their music has been supported by key tastemakers such as Lauren Laverne, Ben UFO, Tom Ravenscroft and Branko. Together they have an infectious energy, with a sound that fuses together styles from the UK, Ghana and around the world.

Bryte’s multilingual lyrics skip playfully over Mina’s upbeat and distinctive production style, demonstrating how two artists from very different backgrounds can come together to create “exuberant, passionate, forward-thinking club music that slips between two continents.” [Clash Magazine]

Led by mighty bassist and composer Matt Gedrych of Neue Grafik Ensemble, Emma-Jean Thackray’s band and many more TRC happenings, this is a new collective of friends and musicians challenging each other to express themselves honestly. And the result is a sound that we’re really feeling ~ lively percussion, sultry sax lines, twinkling keys and a variety of vocal textures.

Their debut album ‘Never Far From Home’ explores Matt’s journey of moving to London, following your dreams, building a family, growing up, and of course, making a home.

Orii is one of London’s most exciting new regular jam sessions, led with total openness and devotion by by Neue Grafik. “A safe space for people who want to feel free to be themselves, in the crowd or on stage, every one is an important part of the puzzle.”

Finding its home on Monday nights at Colour Factory in Hackney Wick, it’s a truly inclusive platform for new artists, allowing the best musicians and artists in town to connect in an amazing place, in the middle of Hackney Wick.

We are teaming up at Brainchild to bring this awesome, young and diverse community to the festival and invite artists from the lineup to get involved.

The word, Orii, means Soul, Head and Inspiration in Yoruba.

Papaoul is a resident DJ and radio presenter on Worldwide FM. When it comes to the dancefloor, Papaoul’s sets are unconfined by genre, spanning a range of bass-heavy sounds from across the global underground. An eclectic selector, he also runs The Fifth Sun, a monthly radio show connecting the dots between UK / Latin American bass culture, and providing a platform for Latinx creatives in the UK.

Prestige Pak is a DJ collective made up of Architect, Handsome Rob, Lagoon Femshayma and Lil C, playing club music from around the world with a diverse blend of styles and genres guaranteed to get a crowd moving and steamy!

Since forming in the din of a house party two years ago, PVA are the genre-hopping passion project of London musicians Ella Harris, Josh Baxter and Louis Satchell.

The three-piece traverse fistfuls of genres throughout rapturous live sets, incorporating techno landscapes, Balearic euphoria, and industrial edges within the same songs. The band’s unique energy combines with blocky synths, sultry deadpan vocals, and motorik drum loops to make for a wholeheartedly original sound.

Signed to Speedy Wunderground (following the path of Black Midi, Squid, and Black Country, New Road amongst others), they sold out 250 records before any could ship. ‘Divine Intervention’ has been described as ‘Patti Smith fronting Factory Floor’, (Pierre Hall) and has now amassed up to nearly 700,000 plays on Spotify. Widely praised (The Guardian – “that sweet LCD Soundsystem energy… God, it’s good”) and played heavily on BBC Radio 6 and KEXP, PVA have a follow up release landing this Summer on a prestigious new label.

With a hefty list of festivals and support slots (including Baxter Dury, Franc Moody, HMLTD, The Orielles and Squid), as well as a showcase at Austin’s SXSW, and a Japan Tour under their belt, the sky’s the limit for PVA.

Rosie Alena is a singer-songwriter from London. Taking influence from Joni Mitchell and Angel Olsen to Tori Amos, Sufjan Stevens and Esperanza Spalding, Rosie played her first gig when she was just 14 at the 12 Bar Club in Soho and has been enchanting audiences with her eclectic compositions and goosebump-inducing vocal capabilities ever since. After producer Oli Barton-Wood (Porridge Radio, Nilufer Yanya) spotted her at a show in Peckham, they decamped to his studio earlier this year for some fruitful recording sessions.

Blessed with a wealth of highly-skilled musicians as friends including black midi, Olivia Dean and Blossom Caldarone, Rosie’s rotating but consistently excellent backing band have gigged relentlessly when allowed, winning her fans across the capital and beyond. Making themselves at home across South London hotspots including the Windmill in Brixton and Deptford’s Sister Midnight, the band also made their Europe debut this summer at Left of the Dial festival in Rotterdam.

The future’s looking bright for the singer, who is set to release her debut EP Pixelated Images on untitled (recs) in early 2022, following on from releasing a series of well-received singles in 2021 that earned praise from the likes of Clash, The Line of Best Fit, and So Young Magazine.

Touching Bass family are on the decks in the forest this year, at The Shack on Sunday from 6pm – 10pm, taking you right through evening to sunset to the night-time hours.

From their dances to their NTS show, or their releases as a label, this is an organisation that is pushing forward soulful and original music while also keeping an community ethos & authenticity at its core. Their ethos centres around the real-life human and spiritual ability of music to bring people together — music to make you think and feel.

It’s been exciting times for SE London via Brighton group Vels Trio (keys player Jack Stephenson Oliver, bassist Cameron Dawson and drummer Dougal Taylor) since meeting in 2014.

Despite choosing to sidestep a release of their endeavours in the early years – it’d be somewhat surprising if you weren’t to know them already in name. The bands drive to perform and consistently push their live prowess has propelled them into the live arena to share stages with acts such as Cory Henry and the Funk Apostles, Sons of Kemet, Moses Boyd’s Exodus & Let Spin, plus two performances at the illustrious Love Supreme Festival.

Being almost indefinable by any sole genre, the group’s excursions span prog, electronic, jazz, funk and hip-hop, which have collectively paved the way for their early sound. With an inclination for improvisation, Vels Trio’s sound can be characterised by their heavy grooves, emotionally charged songwriting & expressive modern musicianship, creating excitingly frenetic, and irresistibly engaging live sound. Their debut album, Celestial Greens is out now on Rhythm Section.

Damn it feels good to have these guys back here. In 2021 we worked with WOOM to curate a very special headline set. As somewhat Brainchild royalty, and having formed at the festival some years earlier, it only felt right for them to take on this homecoming, after being separated from you all for two years. But, it was not meant to be, as the day the festival opened the band were struck down with the dreaded c-word, and were able to come and play. When 2020 rocked around we knew there was only one thing for it – Woom’s Headline Show round 2! We are wishing for a peaceful delivery of them to our Brainstage, as they take on closing the festival, back in their rightful thrones.

Their lush, harmony-laden vocal re-interpretations of songs by Frank Ocean, Angel Olsen & OutKast, amongst others, have become a WOOM calling card. They re-envisage in way that is at the same time new and familiar, delicate yet powerful. Comprising something of a supergroup of southeast London luminaries, WOOM includes members of Babeheaven, Arlo Day, Teeth Machine, Hester, Thidius and Jerkcurb.

Do yourself a BIG favour and dig into their EP, Into the Rest. The first ever recorded WOOM songs, this record is a real treasure. Six back, relax. Dive in.