Ezra Collective at Luzern Live

Another day, another concert – now it’s all about Ezra Collective at Luzern Live. The genre-blending powerhouse from London, have been making waves in the UK and international jazz scene with their signature mix of Afrobeat, hip hop, reggae, and classic jazz elements.

The band formed in 2012, and has built a reputation for their energetic live performances and musical versatility. I first discovered them back in 2017 during their set at the Winterthurer Musikfestwochen. They were already amazing then, but they’ve only gotten better since. After having to miss their last Zurich show at Kaufleuten (for the most idiotic reason – don’t ask). I was beyond excited to finally catch them again at Luzern Live this week.

A Crowd That Came to Groove

Even before Ezra Collective hit the stage, the vibes were strong! The audience was already moving to the pre-show playlist, which is always a good sign. I’ll admit, I was a bit worried the crowd might stay as calm as they were for the Kokoroko set. But those fears disappeared the moment the band stepped on stage. The energy transfer was instant. As soon as the first notes hit, most of the people at KKL were on their feet. The seats became completely unnecessary. Throughout the show, hardly anyone sat back down. It’s rare to feel such a vibrant connection between band and audience right from the start especially in a venue that isn’t exactly made for gigs like this. But Ezra Collective made it feel effortless.

Pure Joy on Stage and in the Crowd

One of the most powerful elements of the night was the sheer enthusiasm the band brought with them — not just in their performance, but in their message. Throughout the show, a central theme echoed loud and clear: joy. Whether you came to the concert feeling sad or already in high spirits, the goal was to feel joy — unapologetically and fully. And I can confirm, that joy came to stay. You could feel it radiating from the stage, from the band’s interactions, and from the faces in the crowd. The spontaneous “B-stage” moment around FOH, the constant smiles exchanged between band and fans, and the dancing that never stopped all added up to something truly special. It was a lovely evening with great music — and a reminder that joy is always within reach.