We’re excited to announce that Headline Audio will be hosting the Nord Zone, showcasing famous Swedish red keyboard & digital piano manufacturer Nord!
Located opposite the Rough Trade Stage on Dray Walk, the Nord Zone will feature a selection of high-end digital musical instruments and audiophile equipment, giving festival attendees the chance to explore and experience the tools behind the music they love.
Adding to the excitement, teenage engineering will be partnering with Headline Audio, bringing their latest and most innovative music-making gear to the Nord Zone. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, their iconic instruments are designed to inspire creativity and take your music to the next level.
Global leader in custom hearing protection and In-Ear Monitor manufacturing, ACS Custom is also joining forces with Headline Audio to present their cutting-edge innovations at the Nord Zone. Celebrating over 30 years of excellence, ACS will be showcasing the brand-new ACS Eclipse 500 Universal In-Ear Monitors, offering festivalgoers the chance to experience their world-renowned products up close. Whether you're seeking advice on hearing health, tinnitus prevention, or looking for high-fidelity In-Ear Monitors and fit-for-purpose earplugs tailored for the music industry, ACS Custom has you covered.
To top it all off, we’ve curated a special lineup of exclusive solo performances from London’s bubbling jazz scene, featuring stellar sets from Elijah Fox, Tara Lily, David Davis, Joshua Domfeh, plus a special guest TBA—all showcasing Nord’s exceptional instruments, and free to attend!
Come explore, play, and immerse yourself in the sounds of the Nord Zone at Dray Walk. Stay tuned for more details on this exciting collaboration—we can’t wait to see you there!
ABOUT ELIJAH FOX
Elijah Fox is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, and producer based in Los Angeles, ÇA. He grew up in Durham, NC and began playing piano at age 11 and was mentored early on by Yusuf Salim, a pianist who had played with Charlie Parker and began performing in local jazz clubs. Fox studied piano at Oberlin Conservatory with Sullivan Fortner, Billy Hart, Dan Wall, and Gary Bartz and graduated in 2017 before moving to New York City. His piano composition “East Village” was sampled by Drake and 21 Savage on “Major Distribution” reaching number 3 on the Billboard Charts. Fox has also recorded/produced for SZA, Masego, YG, ScHoolboy Q, Denzel Curry, Tate McCrae, Musiq Soulchild, Childish Gambino, Kali Uchis, J Cole, and many others as well as releasing his own original compositions and sample packs.
His impressionistic original piano composition “Wyoming” went viral on TikTok and has received over 20 million streams on Spotify. He is signed to UMPG for publishing as a writer/composer. He is also the touring keyboardist for UK drummer Yussef Dayes and has performed throughout the world. Fox has also performed his original music at sold out shows across the US and Europe. His sound blends elements of jazz, Impressionism, and psychedelic soul. Fox also releases instrumental music under the alias Søren Søstrom.
ABOUT ASHLEY HENRY
An award-winning jazz pianist, vocalist, composer, producer, and bandleader. Ashley Henry’s critically acclaimed album, Beautiful Vinyl Hunter, was released in 2020. It was Jazz Japan’s Album of the Year, nominated as a BBC 6 Music’s Album of the Year, becoming only the second jazz album ever to do so. He was named France Jazz Magazine’s New Jazz Artist of the Year for 2020, and toured globally with Christine and the Queens, whilst supporting Loyle Carner’s second album tour.
Ashley Henry’s take on sound reflects his London upbringing and his Caribbean roots. His genre-bending sound and collaborative practice draws from classical training and being a diligent student of the Black radical tradition, its futurism and history, pulse, restlessness, and poise. His music is as informed by the work of James Baldwin, and Angela Davis, as it is by Ahmed Jamal, George Benson, Geri Allen and Aretha Franklin.
His deep sonic compositions have launched some of the best contemporary jazz vocalists in the UK. Whilst as a sonic artist his work allowed him to be the first musician commissioned by the Royal Observatory; Curate & establish The Freestyle Fellowship inviting Shabaka Hutchins; Blue Lab Beats and Binker Golding to support the UK’s Mental Health Foundation & Musicians during Covid. Whilst his Ronnie Scott’s Live Stream performance was the most streamed live jazz performance across Europe for 2020. Operating as an Ambassador for the Abram Wilson Foundation, in 2023 Henry established his own label Royal Raw Music in partnership with naïve / Believe with the aim of continually pursuing and pushing the boundaries of artistic expression and collaboration.
ABOUT TARA LILY
Growing up in South London as part of a British/Bengali family has given Tara Lily a unique perspective on music and global culture. She has spent her life absorbing a multitude of sounds and genres from her surroundings, ranging from jazz, electronica, Alt RnB + Indian Soundscape. It was this intriguing blend of sounds and her deep understanding of the worlds they come from which caught the attention of the likes of Virgil Abloh, Gilles Peterson, Iggy Pop, Jamie Cullum and Motown Records UK, who signed Tara as their first British artist. Tara is a musical anomaly.
South London, British-Bengali musician Tara Lily's debut album, 'Speak In The Dark', is a record about "things that go unsaid-secrets, desires and our connection to our ancestors. Transgressing jazz, electronica, trip-hop, and alternative R&B with Indian soundscape. 'Speak In The Dark' is an artistic representation of Tara's emotional highs and lows with ADHD.
ABOUT DAVID DAVIS
David Davis, a seasoned session musician and multi-instrumentalist, is also a distinguished producer, music director, and composer. Based in South East London, he has toured and recorded with artists like Jessie J, Dave, Sister Sledge, Joy Anonymous, and Kari Faux, while also collaborating with independent musicians nationwide. Known for his lush chords and tasteful licks, David’s signature touch on the keys reflects his deep roots in Neo-Soul and Jazz, yet his musical palette spans diverse genres. His journey began at just two years old with drums, followed by piano at six and bass at nine, fostering a profound passion for songwriting. For David, music is more than a craft—it’s a way to leave a lasting mark on time and history.
ABOUT JOSHUA DOMFEH
International keyboardist/pianist and programmer Joshua Domfeh has worked with artists and companies globally (Nord Keyboards, Flo, Talia Mar, Tye Tribbett, Kinga Glyk, and Conor Albert). The "City Lights" EP and most recent single “I Look to Jesus” in collaboration with CalledOut Music debuted in 2023 & 2024.
+A SPECIAL GUEST TBA
Founded in a small basement workshop in 1983, Nord Keyboards has always been driven by curiosity, dedication, and a passion for music. Over the decades, the company has become a leader in synthesizers and stage keyboards, known for its innovative designs, intuitive interfaces, and exceptional sound quality.
Nord’s journey began in 1995 with the release of the Nord Lead, a synthesizer that quickly became a classic due to its unique analog emulation and user-friendly design. In 1997, Nord introduced the Nord Modular, the first digital modular synthesizer, recognized for its groundbreaking flexibility. This was followed in 2001 by the Nord Electro, which set a new standard for emulating vintage instruments with remarkable portability.
In 2005, the company launched the Nord Stage, an instrument that brought together acoustic and electric piano sounds, organ emulations, effects, and synthesizers into a single, versatile keyboard. Two years later, the Nord Wave expanded on the Nord Lead’s legacy, allowing musicians to use audio files as oscillators in a virtual analog environment.
Other significant releases include the Nord C1 Combo Organ (2005), featuring advanced tone wheel modeling and remarkable portability, and the Nord Piano (2010), a lightweight stage piano with cutting-edge features like String Resonance and pedal noise simulation.
Throughout its history, Nord has remained committed to creating instruments that inspire musicians around the world, guided by the same passion for music that shaped its beginnings.
