Nubiyan Twist, Fatoumata Diawara – Chasing Shadows
UK nine-piece Nubiyan Twist team up with Malian singer Fatoumata Diawara for “Chasing Shadows”, blending afrobeat with future-soul on a track that moves between jazz freedom and dancefloor energy. Formed in 2011 at Leeds College of Music, the collective has built their reputation fusing jazz, afrobeat, soul, and hip-hop with virtuosic musicianship.
Diawara’s powerful vocals sit over Nubiyan Twist’s hypnotic, riff-laden grooves. The production draws from rhythms inspired by their late collaborator Tony Allen, the legendary afrobeat drummer. The band’s approach stays nimble and engaging, pinning jazz-adjacent freedom to solid rhythmic foundations.
Bandleader Tom Excell contributes to Africa Express, Damon Albarn’s cross-cultural project, and has worked with legendary African and Western artists through that connection. Nubiyan Twist have collaborated with Nile Rodgers, Seun Kuti, Tony Allen, and Mamani Keita over the years. The collective earned AIM Award and MOBO nominations and received support from PRS Foundation’s Momentum Music Fund and the Music Export Growth Scheme.
“Chasing Shadows” combines the band’s big band sound—drawing on jazz, hip-hop, afrobeat, Latin, soul, reggae, and dance music—with Diawara’s commanding presence. The nine-piece hits the road for a full UK tour in spring 2026, bringing their high-energy live show across England and Scotland.
Europe:
- April 22, 2026 – Digital, Newcastle, UK
- April 23, 2026 – Project House, Leeds, UK
- April 24, 2026 – New Century Hall, Manchester, UK
- April 25, 2026 – Charlie’s Loft, Glasgow, UK
- April 26, 2026 – La Belle Angele, Edinburgh, UK
- April 28, 2026 – Junction, Cambridge, UK
- April 29, 2026 – Chalk, Brighton, UK
- April 30, 2026 – KOKO, London, UK
- May 5, 2026 – O2 Academy, Oxford, UK
- May 6, 2026 – Tramshed, Cardiff, UK
- May 7, 2026 – SWX, Bristol, UK
