Summer Soulstice

Leigh met guitarist (& fellow engineer) Alex while both were working on separate projects but shared an immediate connection. The pair now run the aforementioned Earthworks alongside like-minded US artist & engineer, now London based, Matt Bandy. Leigh & Alex themselves are kindred musical spirits, having started working together on un-credited backing tracks for major clients including Ministry Of Sound. Their collective skills developed at impressive speed & in 2004 as The Layabouts, released their slick debut single ‘Feeling Right’ quickly followed by ‘The Way I Feel’ – both soulful, deep-dance licks released via their fledgling Soulworks label.  It was enough to grab the attention of global dance icon Kenny Dope, whose Ill Friction stable would eventually push The Layabouts’ gospel-stompin’ bomb ‘Stand Up’ in 2008. They have remixed the likes of Toni Braxton, Beverley Knight, Stephanie Mills & Reel People, as well as producing Kathy Brown, Pete Simpson & most recently, their own ‘Colours Of Love’ with Portia Monique.  Away from the studio The Layabouts have toured extensively both home & abroad, their biggest gig to thousands of revellers at South Africa’s epic Spring Fiesta in 2012.

Meanwhile, Imaani’s career has been quite a journey for this country girl from Derby who jumped on a train to London at the age of 19 & never looked back. Nurtured by the legendary Jocelyn Brown, Imaani’s talent was soon discovered with cousins Carleen & Jhelisa Anderson & Talkin Loud’s Urban Species‘ all taking her on tour. British Soul Institution Incognito was her next port of call as she became a permanent fixture on their perpetual live show and on their recording’s as she featured on five of their albums including ‘Beneath The Surface’ & ‘Tales From The Beach’. Another highlight & in her own words ‘the biggest night of my life’, saw Imaani perform to over 100 million people & finish 2nd in the 1998 Eurovision Song Contest. In recent years, Imaani has formed a stirring partnership with UK house producers Copyright as well as The Layabouts, the latter producing her stunning ‘Colours Of Love’ single. She is now working closely with Alex & Leigh on her forthcoming solo album & we’re extremely excited to welcome both acts to our SS8 Main Stage in June, all just a a stone’s throw from those Earthworks studios.

The Layabouts & Imaani will be performing a Live PA on the SS8 Main Stage.
For more info on the acts performing, click here.

 

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