Nia Archives

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A Bradford-born pioneer of the jungle revival brings her most personal and expansive live show yet to the Howard Assembly Room.

Nia Archives returns to West Yorkshire with a new, sophisticated live production that marks a significant artistic shift. Born in Bradford and raised in Leeds, the producer, DJ, and songwriter has become the focal point for the reimagining of jungle and drum and bass – bringing a sense of vulnerability and a “female gaze” to a genre traditionally defined by the dancefloor.

Her latest work, Emotional Junglist, moves beyond her “rave girl” era to explore what she describes as the post-rave experience. The music occupies a vast emotional landscape, balancing the chaotic energy of breakbeats with moments of calm and introspection. While the thudding basslines of her roots remain, this new material sees her branching into Nineties-inspired electronica and indie-inflected drum and bass pop – drawing on influences ranging from Björk and Madonna to collaborator Sampha.

“I’m really excited to take that step as an artist and figure out who I am as a performer,
rather than somebody who hides behind the DJ decks, which is what I’ve kind of done for many years.” – Nia Archives

Archives has consistently broken new ground for electronic music. In 2022, her advocacy led to the introduction of a dedicated dance category at the MOBOs, of which she became the inaugural winner. She further made history as the first jungle artist to receive three BRIT Award nominations, including nods for Artist of the Year and Best Dance Act.

This performance sees her stepping out from behind the DJ decks to lead a levelled-up live production. It is an invitation to experience jungle not just as a sound – but as a spirit, one that is as comfortable with romantic strings and dewy-eyed vocals as it is with skittering hi-hats and heavy syncopation.

In partnership with AEG.