User:SheiknVac/sandbox

London Afrobeat Collective (LAC) is an 11-piece afrobeat band based in the UK. While their music is inspired and informed by that of Afrobeat architect Fela Anikulapo Kuti, their sound encompasses elements of funk, jazz, dub, disco, dubstep, rock and afro-cuban music.

Established in London in 2008, the group began as a loose collective of musicians assembled by guitarist Alex Farrell to jam and perform classic material of the genre. During the following year, the group's personnel crystallised to a lineup of twelve band members and a repertoire of original material began to develop. After early performances under the Fela-inspired monicker "No Agreement", the band's first performance as "London Afrobeat Collective" was given at the Cross Kings bar in London on March 31st, 2009.

In 2010 the group self-released their debut album "L.A.C." (featuring a guest appearance by Dele Sosimi) and performed regularly throughout London, including appearances at the "Nigeria @ 50" expo, the African Music Awards.

During summer 2011, the band made it's UK festival debut appearing at several notable events, including Green Man Festival, Secret Garden Party and at Glastonbury Festival 2011, having been invited to perform on the festival's West Holts Stage by Michael Eavis himself. The group also made it's first guest appearances, with Bombay Bicycle Club at Glastonbury Festival, Reading Festival, Latitude Festival and Brixton Academy.

2012 saw the first LAC single "Occupy" self-released and another busy summer of outdoor appearances, mainly at smaller "boutique" festivals including Nozstock, Winterwell, Sheep Music Festival and Rock Oyster Festival.

Band

 * Alex Farrell – Tenor Guitar, Vocals
 * Lee Crisp – Congas
 * Zak Cohen – Shekere, Woodblock
 * Farivar Gorjian – Drums
 * John Mathews – Bass Guitar
 * Alex Szyjanowicz – Guitar, Vocals
 * Ed Swinburn – Tenor Saxophone, Vocals
 * Klibens Michelet – Baritone Saxophone, Vocals
 * Andy Watts – Trumpet, Vocals
 * Funke Adeleke – Vocals
 * Chloe Sachikonye – Vocals

Former members

 * Alex Sawyer – Drums
 * Inemo Samiama – Vocals
 * Jon Newman – Electric Piano, Organ
 * Wale Ojo – Vocals
 * Tommaso Mazzarotto – Shekere, Congas