Ezra Collective are The Group Award winners at the Rolling Stone UK Awards 2024
The London jazz band won the accolade after a massive 2024 that has seen them headline Wembley Arena and release new album ‘Dance, No One’s Watching’
By Nick Reilly
Ezra Collective have been announced as the winner of The Group Award at the Rolling Stone UK Awards 2024.
The London jazz band won the accolade after a massive 2024 that has seen them headline Wembley Arena and release Dance, No One’s Watching, the superb follow-up album to their Mercury Prize-winning record Where I’m Meant to Be.
In doing so, the group saw off competition from the likes of Blossoms, English Teacher, D-Block Europe, Fontaines D.C., Lankum, NewDad and Sleep Token.
Accepting the award, drummer and bandleader Femi Koleoso said: “I speak on behalf of all of my brothers, we are very, very grateful for this accolade, it does mean a lot to us. But what means the very most is buildings like this, the Roundhouse and many other independent music venues that have allowed us to climb up this ladder.
“We’ve been together for 13 years now, and 13 years ago we probably wouldn’t have got this award. What did exist 13 years ago were the pubs and the bars that let us play, and the jazz clubs up and down the country that gave us a chance. We’ve been able to climb that ladder.
He added: “We face a time where it’s very difficult for buildings like this to survive, so while we’re all here enjoying it, let’s continue to support music venues so that the next Ezra Collective can win this next year.”
The second Rolling Stone UK Awards kicked off earlier tonight with a performance from Leeds band English Teacher, who stunned attendees with a powerful rendition of ‘You Blister My Paint’ taken from their Mercury Prize-winning debut This Could Be Texas. This was followed by JADE’s stunning, stripped back rendition of ‘Angel of My Dreams’.
You can check back here for all the latest coverage of the Rolling Stone UK Awards throughout the evening.
Please be aware that the expressed opinions of speakers are their own.