Transglobal Underground

Doors 7.30pm | Tickets £23 | Plus Support From The Iron Glove | Malt Room Standing

There are few acts in the UK with as strong an influence or as complex a legacy as the mysteriously legendary Transglobal Underground. Trying to describe what it is and what it was has defeated the most eloquent of journalists. Those involved in TGU itself have made no effort to help, refusing to define themselves on the grounds that it wasn’t their job to do so whilst also rejecting any signs anyone attempted to hang on them.

What is Transglobal Underground?

Well, over 25 years, it has been many things. It started as a DJ/musical collective and became one of the founders of global fusion. The group has been a working band, famous for its scorching live shows, a techno soundsystem, and a folk festival rabble-rouser. They’ve also been a pop group, a club night, and a Middle Eastern hit production team. Additionally, Transglobal Underground has served as an improvised study group for Indian classical music and even an Albanian brass band. Sometimes, it’s been a duo… or was it an octet? The collective has also taken the form of a seminar, a medicine show, and several things no one involved would admit to – if they could even remember them.

It all started with a bunch of disgruntled musicians, singers, DJs, writers and sampler geeks. They used to hang round the cramped offices of West London label Nation Records. Primitive computers were stretched to their full possibilities, beaten up analogue synths kept working by screwdrivers and willpower, mashed up cassettes and turntables serviced a heady concoction of club grooves, dub, bhangra, rock, digital hardcore and oriental melody. All relying on inspiration and a massive belief in the need to create something new.

But the main line that goes through the history of Transglobal Underground was defined at the beginning and continues onward. Onstage it’s a joyful and unpredictable journey into the bottomless vaults of the Transglobal catalogue. Whether featuring members of the original lineup, or more recent and diverse additions to the TGU family. Over the years Transglobal Underground has developed a life of its own and goes where it will for its reasons. Everyone else simply follows.

Join us for a huge night of global music. Where TGU will be playing music from their last album ‘Walls have Ears’ as well as all their well-known tracks. The show will perform with current regulars Hamid Mantu, Tuup, Sheema Mukherjee, Tim Whelan and Rav Neiyyar.

Support comes from genre-bending DJ The Iron Glove.

The Iron Glove is a DJ that spreads his ferrous talons across a wide range of styles and emotions. You never know which Glove you’re going to get. But what you do know, is to expect a sonic experience packed with long, tight mixes with a groovy, deep flavour. The Glove has always felt inspired by the original masters of the art of the DJ and with a focus on the fun, the freaky and the sensual. He remains equally keen in a wide range of genres, having honed his craft over a decade of performing across Europe, and with current residencies at London establishments Koko, Phonox and Metropolis, and with radio appearances on institutions Rinse FM, Worldwide FM and Soho Radio, every moment behind the turntable is a new opportunity to go on a journey, hand in hand, with The Iron Glove.

See all live music events here.