Watch: Nihiloxica live at Le Guess Who? 2023

Recordings

Nihiloxica exploded out of Kampala in 2017 with their groundbreaking fusion of Bugandan drumming and UK bass. The band explores the darkest depths between two separate cultures of dance music, uniting abrasive club electronics with raucous percussive energy.

At Le Guess Who? 2023, the group presented their late latest album 'Source of Denial' (released via Crammed Discs) which shines a harsh light on the draconian visa policies which inhibit their existence as a cross-continental project. Relive their overwhelming performance at the festival with our concert film below.

"We were quickly shocked back into our system witnessing Nihiloxica, one of the more physically punishing live acts on this year’s lineup. The timing was perfect for them to do their thing: deep into the Saturday night, when aching bones and numbed flesh start to protest against all the festival wear and tear. At this point, you’re not exactly pining for a Bugandan drum assault to bludgeon you some more. But Nihiloxica are such a thrilling live act, that you start relishing the assault in some sort of strange masochistic way. For the record, Nihiloxica are heavier and more dangerous than any ‘rock’ band out there, and their traditional pulse works in hefty harmony with the fringe electronics without it ever feeling contrived." - Beats Per Minute

Le Guess Who? Recordings
The publication of this recording is part of Le Guess Who?’s ongoing expansion of the festival’s recordings archive, with 100+ recordings from past editions now freely available online.

This archive contains audio and/or video recordings of performances by SANAM, Alan Sparhawk, Stereolab, Tom Skinner, Selda Bağcan, clipping., Aldous Harding, Deerhunter, Art Ensemble of Chicago, The Microphones, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Lightning Bolt, Neneh Cherry, Arooj Aftab, and Beverly Glenn-Copeland, as well as special collaborations and one-time performances such as Saul Williams & King Britt present Unanimous Goldmine, Indian ensemble the Rajasthan Express together with Shye Ben Tzur and Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood, and AEAEA, the live premiere of a collaboration between Nicolas Jaar and Patrick Higgins.

Captured at TivoliVredenburg's Ronda on Saturday, 11 November 2023

Jacob Maskell-Key - Drum Kit
Jamiru Mwanje - Engalabi
Henry Kasoma - Namujooloba
Pete Jones - Synthesizers
Henry Isabirye - Bakisimba

Direction: Dammes Kieft
Camera: Anaïs Saebu, Chris Groos, Jonathan Sipkema, Nicky Pajkić, Rikash Gobardhan, Yuma Eekman, Dammes Kieft
Production: Studio Dammes, Ramon de Lima
Montage & Grade: Peter Marcus
Live sound: Utku Tavil
Sound recording: Marc Broer
Photography: 36framez