EZRA COLLECTIVE AT SWX - 30/09/24

ALBUM RELEASE: 'Dance, No One's Watching' Show at SWX - 30/09/24

5th October 2024


by FUZ

Formed in London, Ezra Collective made their first steps out the capital when they played The Canteen in Bristol almost 12 years ago. Now, with their latest 19-track LP release, Dance, No One’s Watching, inspired by dancefloors they encountered while touring across the world in 2023 – Ezra Collective have raised the roof.

If there is one thing this album proves, it’s that Ezra know how to make you move. Bolstered with features from Olivia Dean, Yazmin Lacey, M.anifest and Moonchild Sanelly, the band explore fiery jazz fusions of afrobeats, Latin, reggae and soul – teleporting the listener to right beneath that mirror ball. Just three days after the album’s release, Bristol’s SWX welcomed the group back to the city they hold dear.


There wasn’t a single moment throughout the night where the tones that inspire Ezra Collective were not surfing the soundwaves. The band’s keys player, Joe Armon-Jones was there from the get-go, mixing dub and reggae grooves on the decks while the venue quickly filled up. With a seamless transition, DJ and selector, Selassie took over and turned up the heat, mixing dancehall and afrobeats.


Without even a moment’s silence, the band kicked in as if they were always there, laying down the instantly addicting grooves of The Herald while drummer and host for the evening, Femi Koleoso delivered his sermon and sent his love out to Bristol.




“Bristol, how you feeling? Welcome to the Dance No One’s Watching party. Thank you so much for coming […] You see, over the last 12 years, we’ve been travelling all over the world and looking at beautiful dancefloors everywhere. We decided to write an album about some of our favourite moments on the dancefloor. We’re talking about dancefloors like Thekla, The Canteen, The Beacon, Trinity Church. One thing you need to understand about Ezra Collective, is Bristol is like a second home to us”.


At this stage, the room was electric and raring to go. Nonetheless, Koleoso knew he could take the energy higher,



“Since we’re one big family here in Bristol, before the dancefloor properly opens, I wanna make sure that every single person here feels seen, feels safe and feels included. I want you to turn around and say hello to a complete stranger”.



So, we did. And just like that, the first step of Ezra’s mission was already complete. Everyone on that floor was connected, free of insecurity and invited into the present moment. Any underlying tension of being so close quarters in a dense crowd of strangers had just fallen through the floor. Koleoso welcomed us to the family, had us clap our hands in time with his kick-drum and thus began the second stage of the mission – dance. 


The dancefloor didn’t just belong to us either. Ezra Collective were just as much involved in the fun, proving there was no separation between the stage and the dancefloor, or the group and the audience. Bassist, TJ Koleoso, trumpet player, Ife Ogunjobi and saxophonist, James Mollison all dove in during the irresistibly fun Hear Me Cry and Shaking Body.




Although the quintet often collaborates with vocal performers in their studio recordings and rare live shows, they don't keep one as a permanent fixture. This allows freedom for their vast expressive abilities to not be kept in a box and celebrates the instrumentation as the core focus of their sound. Ezra Collective employ the audience as their singers instead. Whether it was Yazmin Lacey's absent lyrics from God Gave Me Feet For Dancing or the lyric-less Ajala that sharply followed - The infectious and memorable melodies laid the groundwork for us to sing our hearts out, and every single one of us did.




Ezra Collective are undoubtedly special. Their effect stretches further than musicianship and entertainment. The message of inclusivity and freedom of insecurity is not only preached but practiced. As a white, cis-gendered male who grows complacent in my invisibility, whether at a gig or on the street, I can’t fully appreciate the sense of safety that the band instils in audiences at their shows. I spoke to a friend who danced with them in Liverpool the night before. 


She taught me a bit more of what Ezra achieve,


“It’s just a very kind environment, don’t you think? There’s something magic about Ezra. I know that everyone around me on that dancefloor is there for the music and for the spirit of dancing as a collective. I also feel like any malicious intent would be met with an army of Ezra fans protecting each other”.


Drawing a close to the evening, the band played the euphoric, emotive and aptly titled closer to the album, Everybody. I'm sure we would have been happy to dance and sing along with those keys until dawn. At least it isn't long before Ezra Collective return to bless another Bristol dancefloor.  






“I don’t say this every night. Without Bristol, Ezra Collective just wouldn’t be Ezra Collective. So thank you all for being part of the journey, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you so much. We’ll see you back here in November when we take the Beacon” - Femi Koleoso






Listen to Dance, No One's Watching here.


Catch Ezra Collective at one of their upcoming shows:


6-Nov-24 - Birmingham Institute

7-Nov-24 - Leeds Project House

8-Nov-24 - Glasgow Barrowlands

10-Nov-24 - Manchester O2 Apollo

13-Nov-24 - Bristol Beacon

14-Nov-24 - Bristol Beacon

15-Nov-24 - London OVO Arena Wembley