Tarju Le’Sano Brings the House Down at Headline Show (Review)

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One of Birmingham’s rising stars, Tarju Le’Sano is a name you’ll be hearing more from. As part of the 93:00 Collective, he is building a community of artists in the 0121. He recently released his debut EP, ‘Digbeth Kids‘, which showcased a talented artist, but also someone with thought-provoking lyricism. On the 3rd of April, I was kindly invited to his show at The Night Owl. I am pleased to say that he is just as good live as through the speakers.

After picking up a booklet with some photography celebrating the project and its collaborators, I settled in for the evening. It was only right that the event was set in Digbeth, with the project and event’s name. The venue was cosy, yet big enough for the desired vibes. As he later stated, this evening was about the true fans and community coming together to support artistry.

Following the consumption of a few beverages, host and performer Madi Saskia introduced Jordvn Emanuel to the stage. I’d never listened to this artist before, but I can say that I will be going forward. Having recently released his ‘Close Enough‘ EP, we got a taste of what that record has to offer, including the title track. This was a great duet with Madi Saskia which showcased what a fantastic singer she is. He flows over smooth and soulful instrumentals with ease, and his lyricism is on point. With a headline show of his own coming up on April 25th, you should keep your diary free for that.

After another break, which was soundtracked by some great tunes from DJ Alex Naz, the main man took to the stage. What stood out to me was the atmosphere and love shown by the crowd who managed to fill out the room. Tarju clearly had a lot of love for Birmingham, and it is important artists like himself keep coming from the second city.

He showcased the EP in its entirety, from the sleek flows and jazzy sounds of ‘Yeah Yeah‘ to the underground hip-hop sounds of ‘Welcome‘, with its calls for unity and defying racism. I have already mentioned why I enjoyed the EP in a review. However, I can say the project was amplified in a live setting.

The band also deserves credit, and each member got solos to showcase their talents. Daniel Beckford was DJing and playing percussion very well and Moshino did their thing on background vocals. Furthermore, Musical Director Reuben Leroy killed it on bass, complimenting the guitar playing of Sohaib. Finally, Wess Bless played the keys to a high degree and that drumming from Nathan Shingler was sensational.

Tarju showcased his versatility throughout with his various flows and singing ability, with even some dance moves during the night. He was complimented nicely by guest spots from Moshino, SANITY, Madi Saskia, and fellow 93:00 Collective members Indigo Marshall and Raffa OG. There was even a preview of an upcoming remix which I am eager to add to my playlist.

But, fans also got treated to material outside the EP. One notable moment was ‘Baba Freestyle‘ getting a wheel-up from the band. All-in-all, it was a great night showcasing some of the finest talent rising out of Digbeth. The live band gave the experience a new dimension, and it highlighted why seeing an artist live is just as important as listening through your headphones.

Despite things looking grim for Birmingham artists following the recent Arts Funding cuts, the scene is standing strong. Furthermore, Tarju Le’Sano and his collaborators are just some of the amazing talents that you need to know. So go support local artists and see a live show, you won’t regret it.

Tarju Le’Sano is on Instagram, X, Threads, and TikTok. Read more concert reviews here or stream the EP below.

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