Ibibio Sound Machine have very quickly become pioneers within the world music scene and have some extremely admirable accolades to their name. To frequent shows such as Later… with Jools Holland as well as having one of the worlds biggest bands (Coldplay) asking you to support them on their stadium tour suggests that you not only need to be releasing music to an impeccable standard, but you also need to deliver a live show like no other. And as Rescue Rooms saw last Saturday night, Ibibio Sound Machine did just that...
Nigel King
It is by no means an easy feat to occupy a Rescue Rooms capacity of people’s Saturday night unless you are confident you can provide an evening beyond entertaining - and when that Saturday night is one of rain, wind and coldness (almost reminiscent of the inauguration of 2026’s autumn/winter season) the pressure to uplift the mood is amplified. It can be safely assured that Ibibio Sound Machine can live up to the task. But before they took to the stage, Ziyad Al-Samman got the rain soaked crowd warmed up.
Giving a taste of his forthcoming debut album, What You Gonna Do?, Al-Samman took the stage with eccentricity that would be expected of a headline act. Such energy proved a success as Rescue Rooms were in the palm of his hand throughout his set. The highlight of the set came with the deliverance of his most acclaimed song to date, Ya Habibi, which came at the climax of an electrofunk filled 25 minutes. It was certainly more than enough time for the venue to get warmed up, dried off and rearing and ready for Ibibio Sound Machine.
Reflecting on our interview with ISM's Eno Williams a couple of weeks ago, there was an anticipation of witnessing a rebirth of the debut of ISM. Their 2014 burst onto the scene was nothing short of energetic, unique and ultimately triumphant but the one thing they naturally lacked was experience and Eno stated that this current era is the band going back to their roots but equipped with the knowledge they now obtain after over a decade of experience. After listening to Chopping Mountain it is clear that this has paid off and they have returned to their original sound but with the new wave of expertise and excitement, but I wondered how this would translate to their live show.
Opening with Chopping Mountain's Concept of Love, ISM capitalised on the momentum built within the support slot and elevated it further in their true nature. Eno led the charge in one of her countless attires full of culture and glamour with tonight's look being a long white piece with a Maine-like neck making her look nothing less of a goddess figure seen throughout history.
From the moment they graced the stage, ISM gave an effort that came off as so authentic, an effort that is fulled from passion and love for their art, an effort that feeds off the energy from the room and is given back from a devoting audience. It is always a hurdle when an artist is touring new material but ISM made this hurdle look nothing more than a natural step. Standout tracks such as Return to Sender and When You Want To Dance were perfect fits into the new era of ISM's sets as it showed their growth but carried the burning torch of everything they do best within their live sets.
ISM really took us on a journey through their career
Return to Sender and When You Want To Dance were two of the tracks that received the loudest reception from Rescue Rooms Saturday night but ISM really took us on a journey through their career, stopping off at all their releases with the personal highlight being Protection from Evil. A track from their ‘22 release Electricity, it took me back to Wembley Stadium as a naive 18 year old at his first stadium concert witnessing the energy of ISM amidst the excitement of Coldplay. To hear that track once more in Rescue Rooms was a moment of nostalgia, emotion and joy. Coincidentally the process and feelings ISM journeyed through when creating Chopping Mountain.
The joyous evening was perfectly drawn to a close with the title track from Pull The Rope, Chopping Mountain's most recent predecessor. A track that perfectly sums up ISM’s African funk and disco energy, Rescue Room soaked up every second knowing that their time with the band was coming to an imminent close but created a perfect end to a perfect night.
Post gig, in their true elegance, Eno and the band personally greeted fans and exchanged pleasantries, stories and energy from what the previous 75 minutes had brought. A rare act not seen of this band's calibre but a sight to behold and a lesson that could be learnt from industry peers.
Almost as though the sound of ISM parted the clouds, Rescue Rooms spilled out onto the now dry streets of Nottingham, with many returning to their homes knowing that their Saturday night simply cannot get any better, with the rest continuing the party and sharing the infectious energy into the Saturday nightlife Nottingham has to offer.
Ibibio Sound Machine performed at Rescue Rooms on 24 October 2026
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