Tag Archives: Church Of Sound

Church Of Sound unveil ‘Never (Lagos Never Gonna Be The Same)’ from Tony Allen’s last live performance

06 October 2026

Photo: Joe Hart

Church Of Sound are celebrating their tenth anniversary, and to mark the occasion, they are launching a new record label, and its first compilation, Clapton Hymns, Vol. 1: 10 Years of Church of Sound (2016-2026), featuring twelve of the series’ most iconic live recordings out of an archive of over 130 performances. A community-built event series based out of St. James the Great church in Hackney, London, Church of Sound became a beloved and vital hub for emerging and established artists. Over the past ten years, it has hosted shows from the likes of Makaya McCraven, Jeff Parker, Yussef Dayes, Moses Boyd, Tom Skinner, Nubya Garcia, Moor Mother, Kokoroko, Yazz Ahmed, and many more.

Last month they shared lead single ‘Do What You Gotta Do’ from Kaidi Tatham & The First Word All Stars featuring singer Vanessa Freeman. Now, ahead of the compilation release on November 20th, Church of Sound are giving us another taste of what’s comingt with ‘Never (Lagos Never Gonna Be The Same)’ by the late Tony Allen, lifted from his album Rejoice. The legendary Fela Kuti drummer and Afrobeat founder performed at Church of Sound in March 2020 as part of a two-night residency which turned out to be his final live performances. Addressing Allen directly, Dele Sosimi, who was part of Fela Kuti’s Egypt 80 band in 1979 and collaborated with the him numerous times, shared his thoughts on Allen’s final performance:

“You gave me your phone on concert day one and said, ‘Record the performance, as I have never, ever played in a church,’ to which I remarked, ‘I can imagine Felá and Bra Hugh having a good laugh at the irony!’ As we said our goodbyes on the 13th of March, ìfura [premonition] flashed through my mind for a fleeting moment, too quickly for me to ponder on. Your ascension was 48 days later, to become an Òrìshà [divine spirit]! Memories are brought back to life here in this visual offering, and I remember changing the lyrics backstage to: ‘Afrobeat never gonna be the same, never, without Tony.’ How surreal.”

‘Never (Lagos Never Gonna Be The Same)’ is offered with a video of the live recording and you can watch it below.

Church Of Sound celebrates 10th anniversary with new label and inaugural release, Clapton Hymns Vol.1

08 September 2026

Photo: Joe Hart

Over the past ten years, Church Of Sound has played a pivotal role in London’s independent music scene. A community-built event series based out of St. James the Great church in Hackney, Church Of Sound has nurtured exciting artists and hosted intimate gigs spanning a wide range of genres, from the likes of Makaya McCraven, Jeff Parker, Yussef Dayes, Moses Boyd, Nubya Garcia, Moor Mother, Kokoroko and Tony Allen, whose two-night residency in March 2020 turned out to be his final live performances. To celebrate its tenth anniversary, Church of Sound is launching a new record label, and its first compilation, Clapton Hymns, Vol. 1: 10 Years of Church of Sound (2016-2026). Slated for a November 20th release, the compilation captures 12 of the series’ most iconic live recordings out of an archive of over 130 performances from the last ten years. Spanning a vast musical landscape, the collection features a stirring 2025 performance by Brazilian duo João Bosco & Guto Wirtti, an exceptional pairing of France’s Florian Pellissier with Trinidadian poet Anthony Joseph, and the inventive post-rock-meets-jazz stylings of cult Tortoise guitarist Jeff Parker. It also includes the dynamic harp-and-sax duo of Alina Bzhezhinska & Tony Kofi, South African jazz innovators The Brother Moves On with Shabaka Hutchings, and a spiritual jazz cut from Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble.

Alongside the label and compilation news, lead single ‘Do What You Gotta Do’ from Kaidi Tatham & The First Word All Stars featuring singer Vanessa Freeman is now streaming. Euphoric and intoxicating, the track was recorded last year at the 20th anniversary concert of First Word records. Speaking about the night, Freeman says:

“From the moment I walked in, I felt the energy, the legacy of First Word and the music. When Kaidi started ‘Do What You Gotta Do’ I just started to adlib…it’s one of my favourite songs so I was completely in the zone. I really let go and wanted to tap into lifting people around me. So that they know someone loves that they are here… on the planet.”

Tatham also had this to say about it:

“One good thing about good music, when it hits you, all your worries and strives go away. This is why you have to do whatcha gotta do.”

‘Do What You Gotta Do’ is offered with a live video and you can watch it below.