Ibibio Sound Machine

Ibibio Sound Machine is a London-based ensemble celebrated for its vibrant fusion of African and electronic sounds. Fronted by Nigerian singer Eno Williams, the group blends West African highlife, disco, funk, and modern electronic production into an edgy, Afrocentric style that feels both rooted and forward-thinking.¹

Known for energising rhythms and evocative storytelling in English and Ibibio, the octet has earned an international following for its Afrofusion sound and dynamic performances.

Score your Ibibio Sound Machine tickets now on AXS and get ready for an unforgettable night of music and movement.

The origins of Ibibio Sound Machine go back to producers Max Grunhard, Leon Brichard, and Benji Bouton bonding over a shared passion for African grooves from the 1970s and ’80s. In 2013, they enlisted London-born, Nigerian-raised vocalist Eno Williams.^2,3 They built the group’s sound around her storytelling and rhythmic vocal style, drawing on Ibibio folklore and themes from her Nigerian heritage. The lineup has included musicians such as Alfred ‘Kari’ Bannerman, Anselmo Netto, Scott Baylis, Tony Hayden, Max Grunhard, and others, with the group’s live configuration evolving over time.¹

Their 2014 eponymous debut, Ibibio Sound Machine, released on Soundway Records, gained support from influential tastemakers such as Gilles Peterson and helped introduce the ensemble to international audiences.⁴ Later albums expanded their Afrofusion palette, including Uyai, Doko Mien, Electricity, and Pull the Rope, each blending African rhythms with electronic, funk, and post-punk influences.

Ibibio Sound Machine has earned widespread recognition for its boundary-crossing blend of African rhythms and electronic music. Critics and cultural institutions have praised the group’s inventive Afrofusion style, while radio tastemakers and industry organisations have highlighted their influence within the UK’s globally minded music scene.

• A2IM Libera Awards Nomination - Best Global Record (2023): Their fourth studio album, Electricity, earned a nomination at the Libera Awards.⁵ The category celebrates standout global recordings released by independent labels, recognising the album’s genre-blending mix of Afrobeat, funk, and electronic sounds.
• AIM Independent Music Award Nomination - Best Live Act (2017): The Association of Independent Music’s Independent Music Awards celebrate outstanding achievements by artists and labels within the UK’s independent music sector.⁶

Ibibio Sound Machine’s albums showcase the group’s evolving Afrofusion style, merging Afrobeat, funk, post-punk, and electronic club music with the evocative vocals of Eno Williams.

• Ibibio Sound Machine (2014): The ensemble’s 2014 self-titled debut introduced their electrifying fusion of West African rhythms, disco, and electronic production.⁴
• Electricity (2022): This fourth studio album, produced by Hot Chip, expands the band’s sonic palette with a bold mix of mutant Afrobeat, funk, post-punk, and modern electronica.⁸ The album soars through the epic, drum-rich dance track Oyoyo and atmospheric melodies like Afo Ken Doko Mien in energising synchronicity.
• Pull the Rope (2024): This album leans further into darker, club-oriented textures while maintaining the group’s Afrocentric rhythmic core. The globe-trotting lead single Got to Be Who U Are and politically conscious tracks Mama Say and Let My Yes Be Yes showcase the album’s edgy production, dancefloor energy, and the ensemble’s continued evolution.⁹

A live performance from Ibibio Sound Machine is an energising celebration of rhythm, movement, and cultural storytelling. Led by the commanding stage presence of Eno Williams, the band delivers evocative vocals, pulsing electronic grooves, and Afrocentric instrumentation that transforms venues into vibrant dancefloors. Their performances are known for their infectious energy and dynamic fusion of global sounds.

Find Ibibio Sound Machine tickets and discover upcoming shows at AXS.