An extraordinary, nocturnally-inclined modernist rock band drenched in Southern Gothic, Brooklyn trio Bambara have evolved their macabre vision to perfection over their previous five albums.
The three members of Bambara – singer-guitarist Reid Bateh, his twin brother Blaze Bateh (drums), and bassist William Brookshire – first started playing together in junior high school in Atlanta, GA and pretty much every moment ever since then have been obsessively honing their sound and vision; first moving to Athens, GA and finally heading to Brooklyn where they’ve established their long-term base.
Their story really picks up pace after 2020’s breakthrough Stray album – a record whose volatile and frequently explosive wall of sound offered a gnarly backdrop for Reid’s typically twisted midnight narratives. Having toured with Idles and Gilla Band pre-pandemic (both big fans), this was the record – powered by their propulsive ‘Serafina single’ and widespread 6Music support – that really put them on the map on both sides of the Atlantic. They were duly signed to Bella Union (Wharf Cat in the US and today announce a major UK and European tour for 2025

‘An intoxicating blend of surf-rock guitar and the blusterous post-rock drama of forefathers such as Lift To Experience; a bewitching blend that makes death's ominous presence feel that much closer.’ Uncut
‘Engrossing, dark and irresistible,….an adventurous group, who just keep getting better all the time. Bambara remain a genuine force.’ Clash Magazine

Plexi Stad
Plexi Stad, an Antwerp music group formed in 2022, blends melancholy with infectious rhythms. Their debut EP Probation Baby was released in April 2023 on Belly Button Records and ALAS!. Their sound shifts from cheerful melodies to raw, confrontational expressions, refusing to conform. Influenced by James Chance & The Contortions, The Pop Group, and TC Matic, they craft a uniquely defiant sonic experience.

© Lucinde Wahlen