Chocolate Fireguard / ECLECTICA: Ubunye, Flatmoon, Deadbeat Brass, Valleys, Nico Harmony, Ras! Putin

Name: Chocolate Fireguard / ECLECTICA: Ubunye, Flatmoon, Deadbeat Brass, Valleys, Nico Harmony, Ras! Putin
Start: 2026-05-08T19:30:00+01:00
End: 2026-05-09T00:30:00+01:00
Location: Marsden Mechanics

Schedule

Fri, 08 May, 2026 at 07:30 pm to Sat, 09 May, 2026 at 12:30 am

UTC+01:00

Location

Marsden Mechanics | Huddersfield, EN

Chocolate Fireguard presents ECLECTICA at Marsden Mechanics. Loved up festival vibes come early to the Mechanics with a truly special night featuring acclaimed Afro-beat, Psychedelic Funk Punk and New Orleans Riot Jazz artists along side local folk rock and eclectic DJs. £5 Bargain.
Featuring:
Ubunye
Flat Moon
Deadbeat Brass
The Valleys
Nico Harmony (solo)
DJ Ras! Putin
UBUNYE
Ubunye is a vibrant Afro-jazz band like no other! Featuring two powerful vocalists from South Africa’s Kwa Zulu Natal region combined with a dynamic rhythm section and an array of guest artists Ubunye’s music is a unique blend of contemporary jazz, Afro-pop and traditional ‘Isigqui’ Zulu music. Their inspirational fusion of jazz, dance and afro-beat that encapsulates the soul of South Africa, is swiftly winning the band a legion of fans across the UK and beyond, selling out Pizza Express Jazz Club and Buxton Jazz Festival to mention a couple.
Ubunye won the best UK jazz ensemble award at the prestigious Parlia- mentary Jazz awards 2023 and now the vibrant Afro-jazz band Ubunye release their new album ‘Tell me the truth or don’t tell me anything’. Xolani Mbatha Vocalist Nokuthula Zondi Vocalist David Evans Songwriter/MD & keyboards Sam Dutton-Taylor Bass Steve Hanley Drums Nik Svarc Guitar
A joyous celebration and proof, should it be needed, of the creative energy and unity possible when cultures meet through the medium of music’. Steve Mead, Artistic Director, Manchester Jazz Festival
‘Vibrant Afro Jazz band Ubunye performed to a sold out show as part of London Jazz Festival. Their 10 piece outfit Wowed our Hol- burn crowd with their distinctive high energy sound’.
Pizza Express Live
‘A really crowd pleasing show from Ubunye at Hull Jazz Festival. Full of life, love and vitality that completely lifts the spirit that joins audience and performers into one’. David Porter, director Hull Jazz Festival
FLAT MOON
Crash-landing somewhere between funk and punk, Flat Moon are a bizarre 6-piece collective that create and perform high-energy groove-centred music. Flat Moon are known for their electrifying live shows that induce their audiences into a state of genre-fluid delirium. Their music explores themes of escapism through a neurodivergent lens, while prioritising a fun and chaotic experience. Flat Moon pair a powerful saxophone-guitar combo with an intricate rhythm section, contorting in style. Delivering huge riffs, unforgettable hooks and incredible stage presence Flat Moon invite everyone to the party.
Meet the members: “we’ve had people come and go since our 2019 origins but clinging on since the beginning are Ali (bass), Matty (rhythm guitar) and Jacob (lead guitar). We’ve since welcomed Scarlet (sax), Sam (drums) and George (percussion, synth). Everyone’s quirks and talents have created a pleasing equilibrium keeping the band charging forwards. Scarlet designs our merch and posters, George can fix pretty much anything, Ali is our ever-precise treasurer, Sam has more drive and tenacity than his mistreated van, Matty is the King of Spill, and Jacob is sometimes on time”
Finally, our name. Why Flat Moon? Originally no real meaning but a hazy joke about Flat Earthers. It then shifted to an ego-inflated stance on reality and perspective, challenging conformity-based popularity. Yet, since we’ve begun to build a life around this name, it’s started to mean more to us and the people hopping for the ride. The greatest thing about this project is feeling like you finally belong, and our aim as Flat Moon is to create belonging in our music, shows, and community. We hope you feel welcome, kick yer shoes off and have dance to our silly music”
Flat Moon’s much anticipated debut album “Cookin’ Up A Groove” is landing very soon in physical form only! Get your hands on it first in pink or black vinyl!
DEADBEAT BRASS
Deadbeat Brass is made up of 10 of the North’s finest horn and percussion players to bring you their big brass sound, a fusion of New Orleans jazz, funk, grunge and latin grooves to every live experience. Huddersfield’s own funky horn juggernaut brings you a mix of hard hitting unique take on covers and their own brand of riot-prog to packed out shows throughout the UK.
A hit with festival crowds across the country, the band have played at festivals including Kendal Calling, Beat-herder, London Remixed, Moovin Festival & Balter festival. Their unique sounds and high energy performances has seen them support artists such as Youngblood Brass Band, The Apples, Hot 8 Brass Band and Craig Charles. Releasing their debut album in 2017, ‘Charge,’ the band has most recently released a live EP from tracks taken from their appearance at London Remixed Festival with their second album to debut in 2026.
THE VALLEYS
“We are The Valleys, named after the Colne and the Holme Valley and the local beer from the Riverhead Brewery, Happy Valley. A folk and rock band with hip-hop, blues and jazz influences, smashing out original tracks of our own. Our combined influences being endless but The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, Eminem, Jeff Buckley, Robert Johnson… would be just to name a few.. We are very proud of our hometown in Huddersfield. We hope you enjoy our sound”
NICO HARMONY (solo)
With hypnotic guitar and soulful, shape-shifting vocals, Nico Harmony blends jazz, folk and reggae influences into a warm, slow-burning sound.
DJ RAS! PUTIN
Champion eclectic selectah last spotted around these parts DJing at Huddersfield’s legendary Timeless Festival