Nizlopi

Nizlopi

About the show

Luke and John met on the school bus in Warwick, England at age 13. Within weeks they were gigging and writing together, playing in a school rock band and in family Irish sessions. Each welcomed into the other’s family, John frequently arrived at the Concannon home at six o’clock AM to practice his double bass in the shed at the end of the garden. Taking inspiration from English folk legends like Rory Mcleod and Dany Thompson, along side the Black American genius of artists like The Roots and Otis Reading, with Luke on guitar and vocals, John learned to beat-box while playing upright bass, bringing a unique flavour to their duo

Nizlopi stumbled into success when their single, ‘The JCB Song,’ became a number-one hit in England and Ireland, sold millions of records, and made Nizlopi a household name overnight. The song has impacted generations and is beloved to this day. Nizlopi went on to release albums ‘Half These Songs Are About You’ (2004), ‘Extraordinary’ (2006), ‘Make It Happen’ (2008), Looking for Answers’ (2009), ‘Uprise’ (2011), and ‘Nizlopi Live’ (2014). They traveled the globe and brushed shoulders with luminaries, but were loved most by their fans for the intimate connection and freshness they brought to their shows. They often wrote a new song in the green room before a gig, and opened with that song—unplugged, in the middle of the crowd. Often leading those present to create harmony parts, the room turns in to a choir.

Nizlopi became a victim of its own success. In the busyness and overwhelm they lost themselves and relationships, and parted ways in 2009. The collapse of Nizlopi and their record label was devastating for all involved. In the wake of Nizlopi’s dissolution, Luke and John sought individual musical projects while remaining committed to their friendship which was always at the heart of their music-making.

Event type

Trad & FolkClassical

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