This is the first edition of our new platform for queer music which we hope will be the catalyst for lots of meaningful connections between artists and creatives of all backgrounds and will pave the way for many more exciting opportunities to meet and share.
Joining us for this first evening will be:
Sensational Canadian-born electro-pop powerhouse Bliss Carmxn
Step into the lush, glowing soundworld of Bliss Carmxn, the genre-blurring project of Canadian-born, London-based artist Adam Kaasa. Bliss blends ethereal electro-pop, tender piano ballads, and a queer, poetic honesty that has drawn comparisons to Perfume Genius, k. d. lang, and Caroline Polachek. A songwriter and performer, Bliss crafts cinematic alt-pop from piano roots. Mixing disco shimmer and folk intimacy, their debut EP Hold My Hand And I’ll Hold Yours earned praise from Clash. Earlier singles featured on Berlin’s Wicked Hag label, with support from BBC London and Siegessäule. Their music pulses with a distinctly queer sensibility — tender, defiant, and full of heart.
First live show with full band from our host Joe Bligh
With roots as a performer and promoter in the UK queer arts scene, Joe Bligh is stepping out as a solo artist writing songs about healing, finding your personal power and liberation. His first single Towers speaks of the hardship many face with trying to fit into a world not built for them; this has been followed up by subsequent releases Get Free, a powerful soul anthem for owning your truth, and spiritual ballad Show Me The Way about finding your way through the darkness. Through honest songwriting Joe hopes to provide hope for anyone who has fallen on hard times and to be an example that despite the world's demise and our grief for it we have the power to be the light in our lives and shine authentically.
Special performance by world builder and all around dream Kobi / Ocean Ayensuo
Kobi / Ocean Ayensuo is a musician, poet, writer, world builder and creative of many hats. Their work delves into black queer, trans and crip identity, black queer ancestry, archive, heritage; love, and radical imagination of black histories, present and future and Spirituality. Musically, their sound can be described as soulful, indie/alternative and harmonic. Kobi / Ocean’s work is also a reminder that growing into our skin happens when we listen in to our spirit and look to the ones who came before us. Their work often blends, vocals, harmonic soundscapes, music and poetry.
This is a safe space and any form of aggression, abuse or hatred will not be tolerated and will be actively dismissed. No one turned away due to lack of funds. The venue is wheelchair accessible and any further access needs or general enquiries can be emailed to info@thisisorla.com