Obongjayar and Loshh Live: An Exercise in Rhythmic Catharsis

The Nigerian-born duo bring a concoction of infectious soul, jazz and afrobeat fusion to a stage brimming with passion, style and musicianship. Their new single, ‘k’, serves as a punchy moment in time.

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There’s an immediate understanding amongst the audience as the first notes of Loshh’s opening set are played. The band behind the Dutch-Nigerian seem incredibly well-rehearsed yet simultaneously spontaneous and free. The palpable shared feeling is that what we’re about to hear and experience is not to be quantified or studied, but felt.

Loshh stands leant against the microphone stand, almost uncomfortable being the centre of attention initially. There’s a seriousness about his expression, not a sense of nervousness, but one of quiet confidence. The introduction to the first song lingers, whirling and pulsating around the room. Loshh composes himself, adjusts his sleeveless white suit, and slips into the role of lead instrument.

The roar that Loshh then lets out, a key tool he uses throughout to drum up the audience, is gutterall and piercing. It’s a cry that almost juxtaposes his subdued singing style, maybe purposely throwing off those who came to passively spectate. A wry smile endures throughout his performance, conscious that this is most of the audience’s introduction to the London-based up-and-comer. You should bring yourself to me, he implies, not the other way around.

Loshh sticks close to his band during every song, using his voice and his lyrics to wrap around the rhythms parcelled together by those he shares the stage with. He often fuses his murmured lyrics to the melodies of the keys note-for-note, with a clear fluency of the individual elements that make up his songs. There’s a sense that Loshh’s role is to lift these elements up higher, to shine a spotlight on individual instruments during different passages.

The set concludes with a driving, formidable closer, and Loshh leaves as casually as he enters. What he leaves in his wake is an imagination of blues, jazz and post-punk previously untouched. And after this performance, it feels like there’s even more ground for Loshh to break in the future.

The night’s headline act, the Nigerian-born, London-based Obongjayar, looks more visibly at home on stage. His leather jacket shines in the heat of the venue’s lighting and reflects back to an expectant, intimate crowd. His smile has a similar effect, and the artist’s humour and immediate familiarity eases the entire room at once.

Obongjayar runs through extended versions of some of the best tracks on his 2022 album, Some Nights I Dream of Doors. Highlights include the anthemic, ‘All the Difference’, the infectiously percussive, ‘Sugar’, and the album’s biggest hit, ‘Tinko Tinko (Don’t Play Me for a Fool)’. The band glow throughout, tearing through blaring passages of noise and nuance on every single song.

A palate cleanser comes in the form of SNIDOD’s softest, most heartfelt track - the gorgeous, warming, ‘I Wish It Was Me’. This is the best performance of the night - a truly beautiful ode to the artist’s brother. The keys lay disjointed, warbling foundations for Obongjayar to croon over, with piercing melodies and lyrics that genuinely stun the crowd silent. Songs like this don’t just show Obongjayar’s immense versatility, but make a case for an entire album of heartfelt, minimal ballards.

‘I Wish It Was Me’ acted as a fulcrum to the performance - a middle-point from which the crowd became hung on every word. The show brought more highlights - individual moments from members of the band brought those in attendance with them, and Obongjayar relished the clear synergy occurring.

As he sang his final verses and left the stage, around the crowd and through the bar, Obongjayar seemed delighted. Delighted about how cathartic his experience on stage looked to be. Delighted about how his new album was being realised live, in front of his eyes. Delighted in the idea of doing it again the next night.

Loshh’s newest single, on which he’s accompanied by his touring partner, was released in late September. It sounds forged from the fires of live performance, with a driving guitar line, wailing trumpet melodies and great chemistry between the two. ‘k (feat. Obongjayar)’ is now available on all streaming platforms.

Obongjayar’s latest album, Some Nights I Dream of Doors is also available to stream. Buy a physical copy and keep an eye out for future tour dates.