As we count down the months to the next Carnival, we’re reminiscing on one of our favorite warm-up moments — our pre-Carnival Library Lounge party with Touching Bass, the South London-based musical movement that continues to blur the lines between club culture, live performance, and community gathering.
For those who know, Touching Bass is more than just a party crew — it’s a cultural force. Rooted in deep respect for Black music and its global lineage, they've built a reputation for crafting nights that feel less like club events and more like family reunions. The energy is always intimate, the selection always forward-thinking, and the atmosphere always rooted in care.
At the Library Lounge, Touching Bass brought that same ethos into the space, transforming it into a vibrant hub of sound and connection. The night centered around their collaborative project released last year between Stefan Ringer (Atlanta) and Blvck Spvde (St Louis) — two artists whose fusion of futuristic house, soulful rhythms, and experimental beats encapsulates the spirit of Touching Bass perfectly. Hearing those tracks unfold live, surrounded by friends and new faces alike, was a reminder of how music can bridge both cities and scenes.
The set not only showcased their curatorial vision but also set the perfect tone for Carnival weekend — equal parts joyous, soulful, and unifying. With selections spanning across continents and eras, the room carried that unmistakable Carnival anticipation: a space buzzing with movement, togetherness, and freedom.
Touching Bass continues to evolve as a platform — from record label to global community — and nights like this remind us why they’ve become one of the most important collectives shaping culture.
