BEHIND THE BASE

In Partnership with Nordoff and Robbins.

We've teamed up with Notion and Nordoff and Robbins to invite the very best of the UK's musical talent to talk about the power music has had on their lives. Giving glimpses into the moments that have made them feel connected, celebrated, or courageous through music - and the one song or album that means the most to them.

Each interview wraps up with an exclusive performance of the track the artist has described their emotional connection with.

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Zak Abel

London born British-Moroccan singer, songwriter and musician Zak Abel is currently making big moves within the music industry having featured on and written songs for the likes of Gorgon City, Tom Misch, John Legend, and Paloma Faith, all whilst establishing his own distinctive, soulful sound. Zak joins us to chat about some challenges he’s faced throughout his career and perform an exclusive acoustic performance on the PizzaExpress Live Holborn stage.

Eva Lazarus

Having just completed a tour up and down the UK of her new album, vocal powerhouse Eva Lazarus joins us in the PizzaExpress kitchen to make our famous Snowball Dough Balls to kick of the long-awaited season of the festive menu. Eva discusses the importance of surrounding yourself and working with people who are ‘levels above you’ and ‘making things regardless of what they are for’.

Jack Garratt

In 2016, Buckinghamshire born, singer, songwriter and composer Jack Garratt was the winner of the Critics’ Choice Award at the Brit Awards, BBC Sound Of 2016 poll and appeared on MTV’s Brand New 2016 shortlist. Since then, he has continued to wow audiences with his unique sound and endless skillset. Ahead of the release of his new album and upcoming UK tour, he joins us in the kitchen to make our latest Giuseppe pizza and talks about how music has always been a huge part of his life, before an exclusive acoustic performance on our Holborn stage.

Louis III

Hailing from Croydon, South London, singer-songwriter Louis III has already begun to garner support from heavy hitters like BBC’s Radio1, 1Xtra, i-D, and more. From radio to TikTok, he’s carving out a reputation for his candid, beat driven pop/R&B sound. Louis joined us in the kitchen to make one of his favourite PizzaExpress pizzas and took to the stage to perform a not yet released track downstairs at Holborn.

Morgan

2016 Britain's Got Talent semi-finalist, Morgan Connie Smith was just a new kid on the block hailing from Watford. Six years on, she has toured with Rudimental, signed to their label 'Major Tom's' and has released banger after banger. Morgan joined us in the kitchen to make one of our new summer pizzas and took to the stage to perform an exclusive live performance downstairs at Holborn.

Tia Kofi

Talented singer, songwriter and producer Tia Kofi has been plotting world pop domination ever since becoming a breakout star from BBC’s RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. She dazzled on into the kitchen to talk about the making of her musical career, being a drag icon and some quick fire questions. Tia then graced the stage to perform an exclusive live performance on stage downstairs at Holborn.

Deema

Hailing from South London, 21 year old rapper Deema has made his mark on the UK music scene with his clever lyrics married with snappy hip-hop beats. He dropped by to talk to us about his influences, where it all began and some quick fire questions. He then took to the stage to perform an exclusive live performance on stage downstairs at Holborn.

L Devine

24-year-old singer, songwriter and your new favourite pop star L Devine is the sort of artist that makes you fall in love with pop. We were lucky enough to speak to her about songwriting processes, relationships and a very special list of famous fans. She wraps up with some valuable advice for viewers before performing an exclusive live performance on stage downstairs at Holborn.

Maverick Sabre

Eleven years on since the fresh-faced (London born) Maverick Sabre burst onto the UK music scene. We had a delight of speaking to him about being back on tour, his music journey to date and how music influences his day to day life. He speaks about all things music before performing an exclusive live performance on stage downstairs at Holborn.

220 Kid

Oxfordshire born record producer and DJ, 220 Kid joins us in the kitchen to talk about being Valentine’s Day, his music, recent success and his crazy journey. He was nominated at the Brit Awards in 2021 for Best Single and Song of The Year at the Brit Awards in 2022 as well as having two platinum selling songs in “Don’t Need Love” and “Wellerman” remix. He talks to us about the craziness that music has brought into to his life before performing an unshared live performance down at PizzaExpress Live Holborn.

Asha Gold

London based artist Asha Gold speaks with us about being vegan, her recording and writing process and how the past year of successes have affected her journey. She was included on Spotify’s Freshest Finds of the year, BBC Introducing London’s best of 2021 and as one of Rolling Stone Magazine’s “Need to Know Artists”. She talks to us about her musical journey to date before performing an exclusive live performance down at Holborn.

Kofi Stone

The Birmingham based soulful rapper talks to us about the feelings behind his music, THAT night in Mayfair and what’s next on his music journey. After releasing his debut project ‘Nobody Cares Till Everybody Does’ back in 2019, Kofi Stone well and truly arrived as one of the most compelling rappers in the UK. He talks to us about the impact music has had on his life before performing an exclusive live performance down at Holborn.

Bow Anderson

The Scottish Music Award’s 2021 Best Pop Act talks to us about her songwriting process, and how music has shaped things for her. Dubbed as one of the most exciting pop singers to date and has well known fans in Cindy Lauper and Sir Elton John. She talks to us about how music has been and currently is a huge part of her life before performing an exclusive live performance just for your eyes only.

JP Cooper

The September Song and Perfect Strangers (ft Jonas Blue) hitmaker talks to us about his life, and the power music has to connect with people. From his collaborations with grime artists like Bugsy Malone and Stormzy, through to working with gospel choirs and his work within the community. He tells us about the meaning behind some of his most powerful songs before performing an exclusive acoustic performance just for us.