Some bands are built for huge stages, but Ezra Collective proved they’re just as captivating when the room is barely bigger than the crowd.
Hosted in partnership with Courvoisier at 83 Rivington Street, the one-night-only event swapped the band’s recent arena-sized performances for an intimate Shoreditch venue, creating the kind of gig that feels impossible to replicate. Having previously seen Ezra Collective command the sprawling fields of Cross The Tracks, watching them perform in such close quarters was a completely different experience for me. Every drum fill, bassline and horn flourish landed with even greater immediacy, turning the room into one collective pulse.
The evening celebrated togetherness ahead of Father’s Day, inviting guests to bring a father figure, friend or loved one to share an evening of live music and specially curated cocktails. Rather than feeling overly branded, the collaboration complemented the atmosphere, giving people time to mingle over drinks before the band transformed the venue into something closer to a neighbourhood block party than an industry event.
Before the performance, guests were treated to a menu of Courvoisier cocktails, with the standout being the Ezra Twist- a refreshing mix of Courvoisier VSOP, raspberry, lemon and white grape & apricot soda that was light, fruity and ideal for a warm summer evening. The Courvoisier Espresso Martini was equally impressive, offering a richer alternative that quickly became another crowd favourite.
When Ezra Collective finally took to the stage, the energy shifted instantly. Their infectious blend of jazz, afrobeat, funk and hip-hop has always been rooted in joy, but in a room this intimate, that joy became tangible. Frontman and drummer Femi Koleoso remains one of the most magnetic performers in British music, effortlessly encouraging the audience to move, clap and lose themselves in the performance. The chemistry between the five members was impossible to miss, with every solo earning resounding cheers.
Fresh from announcing their forthcoming album Here Because of Hope, the set offered a reminder of why Ezra Collective have become one of Britain’s most exciting live acts. Their technical musicianship is remarkable, but it’s never presented as something to admire from a distance. Every groove is an invitation, every improvisation another reason for the audience to lean in.
What made the evening particularly special was its rarity. This is a band capable of selling out arenas and festival headline slots, yet here they were playing to little more than a couple of hundred people. There was no barrier between artist and audience beyond a few feet of floor, allowing the warmth and spontaneity that defines Ezra Collective’s live shows to flourish even more naturally.
As the final notes rang out, it was difficult not to feel like you’d witnessed something uniquely London: world-class musicians performing in an intimate Shoreditch venue, brilliant cocktails in hand, and a room full of strangers briefly united by rhythm. Courvoisier brought everyone together, and Ezra Collective ensured nobody wanted the night to end.
