“The Sea Slugs is the new dawn” - Lekan Babalola (Grammy Award winning percussionist)

The Sea Slugs are a fully-charged 7-piece UK Afrobeat band currently based in Southampton. Tackling continued inequality in their lyrical approach, and presenting a freedom within their live performances, The Sea Slugs captivate their audiences, and cultivate an engaging atmosphere.

Over the past four years, they have evolved their unique take on Afrobeat into a contemporary sound that expresses its influences of Afrobeat giants Fela Kuti and Tony Allen, while exploring their roots in a Western jazz and pop musical upbringing.

Since their conception in 2013, The Sea Slugs have performed and worked with many Afrobeat legends and maestros, such as Dele Sosimi, Lekan Babalola, Jon Gingell (The Fontanelles) and Helen McDonald (Yaaba Funk).

Their third full-length album, They Found Asylum in the Sea is released on 30th April 2017, and demonstrates a marked growth and assured individuality in their sound. In this venture, they have allowed themselves to indulge into more contemporary pop structures while staying true to their

Afrobeat ethos. With a new found strength and confidence, the vocals now are cemented in the musical foundations, parallel to the instrumental solos and lead lines The Sea Slugs’ sound was built upon. From beginning to end, They Found Asylum in the Sea moves through international musical voyages, from North African guitar style, Highlife, free jazz, experimental and Afropop.

The lyrical content of They Found Asylum in the Sea discusses issues affecting humanity as a whole, such as women’s rights, the refugee crises, cultural identity and post-colonialism, and governmental and corporate corruption. It also confronts domestic political restlessness, questioning the government on tax avoidance techniques, the injustice of benefit cuts to disabled people, as well as calling the public to mobilise and stand up against discriminatory and apathetic policies, and to demand humane and inclusive leadership from Number 10.

The Sea Slugs have performed hundreds of gigs across the UK, taking in cities across the South West, Wales, the Midlands and the South East, including venues such as Turner Sims (Southampton), The Cheese & Grain (Frome) and The Forge (London). They have also played at festivals such as Common People, Cheltenham Jazz Festival and Rhythmtree.

Matt Blackledge

Matt has been DJing in bars, clubs and on the radio for more than 20 years. He has a passion for music from all corners of the world, finding the connections between different styles whilst always keeping it funky. You're going to hear new and classic disco cuts, legendary afrobeat and some pure latin fire.

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