A duo, sometime trio, playing sounds and rhythms from across the Balkans, all the way to the Middle East. With soaring clarinet melodies and fast syncopated guitar and percussion, they play a stormy mixture of traditional and original songs which will take you on a journey to far away lands...... Sophie Wilsdon - clarinet and vocals, Barney Rhythm - guitar and vocals and Greg White - udu and drums

The four piece, hailing from Mexico, Trinidad and England but now resident in the suitably cosmopolitan city of Bristol, make feel-good, sunshine-happy music for cool and groovy summer nights. Described variously as pinball electro, chirp-hop or even electro-funk-folk pop, one thing’s for certain: you’re unlikely to have heard anything quite like it before. Imagine an exotic trip through Highlife-style guitar licks, Mariachi-band trumpets, percolating basslines, disco handclaps, soaring flute solos, crazy arpeggio synth lines and video game bleeps and bloops – and you'll get the general idea. 

Floating above this joyous world-pop is the voice of Northumbrian-born Poppy Villiers-Stuart, a singer whose melodies are suffused with local folk-singing traditions and “A passion for sharing the oneness in everything”. An unlikely match you might think for Mexico City’s Pablo Perezzarate, who brings a uniquely Latino perspective from his chaotic, urban hometown but in Poppy Perezz they’ve somehow found a way of meshing their divergent cultures – creating a place where the name of the game is a celebration of life, love and light. 

The band began in 2007 as Poppy and Pablo set off on their romantic journey together, the songs reflecting the excitement and quirkiness of their blossoming love. Initially performing live as a duo, they decided to expand the line-up to create a more exciting stage presence.  After experimenting with both brass and string players, it was the addition of a killer rhythm section that proved to be the final missing jigsaw piece. Tony Bailey, an experienced drummer from Trinidad, was invaluable to the recording of the soon-to-be released debut album; his enthusiasm and percussion skills key in taking the band’s sound to a new, more organic level.  Bassist extraordinaire and native Bristolian William Hallet meanwhile, has brought rootsy bass lines and his own insane sense of humour to the (already quite happening) party. 

Recent performances have taken the band to UK festivals such as Larmer Tree as well as venues across London, Brighton, Oxford and Bristol. Plus, as you might expect from such a peripatetic group, they’ve also played shows in Mexico City, Paris and Berlin. And just in case all that isn’t glamorous enough for you, this time last year they were being 'Introduced' by Tom Robinson on BBC 6Music and playing at Vampire Weekend's after-show party.  This time next year, who knows where they might be.

Driving percussion, ancestral funk and heady improvisations are at the heart of No Go Stop’s sound. Featuring Marie Lister’s powerful vocal, the Bristol powerhouse features musicians who perform with artists such as Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Orchestra, Jazz Defenders, Dundundun, The Heavy, Sheelanagig, and Pete Josef. 

Autumn 2022 sees the release of No Go Stop’s second album ‘Where We Are’. It captures the energetic live sound that earned the band support slots with Snarky Puppy and Ebo Taylor, as well as hosting Bristol’s tribute to Fela Kuti alongside Dele Sosimi and performing at countless festivals including Glastonbury, Greenman, Boomtown and Shambala. 

The album has been two years in the making and follows their well-received debut ‘Agbara Orin’, which garnered support from BBC6 Music, Songlines and set out their stool as a high energy 12 piece with a contemporary spin on the afrobeat sound. 

“The Bristol band have a real feel for what Fela Kuti and Tony Allen created 40 years ago...No Go Stop sound like real contenders for the contemporary Afrobeat crown.” – Songlines

EastPole Orchestra

Balkan Psychedelic Funk Jazz Mashup

Eastern European tunes meet Funk, jazz & Latin grooves


EastPole Orchestra: A Bristol 5-piece band have played together since 1999. The fusion of their arrangements of Eastern European and Middle-Eastern tunes with their own original material gives them a unique and distinctive sound and reputation for taking audiences on wonderfully eeclectic and unpredictable musical journeys. Weaving Balkan, funk, jazz, Rock, Middle-Eastern and even blues influences into their songs, they keep their audiences thrilled and dancing! With Tenor and alto Saxophones, Reed Pipe, Vocals, Electric Bass, Guitar, Drums and Flute, EastPole create a striking and powerful sound and a high energy performance on stage.


Ian Popperwell - Tenor Saxophone, Flute
Jude Williams - Alto Saxophone, Vocals
Ali Cross - Electric Bass, Vocals
Simon Leach - Guitar, Reed pipe, Vocals
Rik England - Drums 


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