Knats

Knats are a jazz trio from Newcastle upon Tyne, built around bass, drums and trumpet, whose music mixes fusion, rock and club rhythms. This London concert takes place at Village Underground.

Knats were formed by two friends from Newcastle's West End, bassist Stan Woodward and drummer King David Ike-Elechi, and the line-up is completed by trumpeter Ferg Kilsby. The band calls its sound "Geordie Jazz", a blend of rock intensity, jazz fusion and dance-floor grooves. Critics have pointed to the hard-edged rhythm section and a drum and bass drive in their playing.

After moving to London in 2022 to train at Trinity Laban conservatoire, the group built a following through high-energy live performances, backed the singer Eddie Chacon, toured with Geordie Greep and later signed to Fontana Records. Their self-titled debut album, released on Gearbox Records, drew wide praise and a nomination at the Parliamentary Jazz Awards. The second album, A Great Day In Newcastle, was produced by Greep and brings heavier, rock- and metal-rooted textures to the band's sound, with storytelling from Newcastle poet Cooper Robson about working-class life in the city.

Village Underground is a London venue that hosts concerts and shows. Listeners interested in jazz fusion and UK club music will hear both influences in the band's material, which moves between melodic writing, virtuosic solos and driving grooves.