Soul Mama, one of London’s leading live music and dining destinations, will be launching a brand new site in Islington in
May 2026.
Located at Angel Central, the new venue will be the next step in the incredible journey embarked on by co-
founders, musician, broadcaster and philanthropist, YolanDa Brown OBE DL and music manager and creative entrepreneur,
Adetokunbo “T” Oyelola. Following a record breaking Kickstarter campaign to launch the first Soul Mama, the pair, who
have set out to add joy, light and laughter to as many lives as possible through music and food, have also announced a new
£1M crowdfunding target.
It’s been a whirlwind for Soul Mama since it launched its debut in September 2024. Taking over the ground floor of The
Gantry, a design hotel in the heart of Stratford, Soul Mama’s inaugural site welcomed over 50,000 people through its doors
to sample soul food fusing the authentic tastes of Africa, the Caribbean and South America and an unrivalled programme of
live music across genres; Jazz, Soul, Gospel, Reggae and much more.
As Soul Mama prepares to move from The Gantry after two awesome years, two new openings beckon. The first, Soul Mama
Islington located at Angel Central opening in May, is followed by a second, Soul Mama Stratford, an exciting new offering
located at Westfield Stratford City, which will launch to the public in August.
Co-founders YolanDa Brown and Adetokunbo “T” Oyelola, set out to create a music venue and restaurant grounded in
community. The Soul Mama concept was launched last year via a crowdfund on the Kickstarter platform, they raised a
record-breaking £248,148, a Guinness World Record. Now, YolanDa and T are setting their sights on an even bigger target
and are launching a brand new crowdfunding campaign with an ambitious target of £1M in 60 days.
The likes of Mica Paris, Katherine Jenkins, Omar, Rebecca Ferguson, the Syd Lawrence Orchestra and Yellowjackets have
all played at Soul Mama and the new Islington site will welcome some of Soul Mama’s favourite acts, emerging artists,
concerts for children and family audiences and international touring stars to its trademark purple and gold stage. Alongside
live music, comedy and spoken word, Soul Mama will host its famous Motown and Afrobeats live brunches and fireside
chats throughout the month.
The food concept at Soul Mama is inspired by mamas from around the world and their much-loved recipes. Guests to Soul
Mama Islington can expect dishes like slow cooked Caribbean curries and one pots with rice and peas, as well as signature
sharing dishes like Soul Arepas and the Jerk Wings Pit will continue to feature. Drinks, featuring signature cocktails such as
the Coconut Mama as well as all the classics will be available as well as a curated wine list and beers.
YolanDa Brown OBE DL says: “With Soul Mama, we are on a mission to spread love one venue at a time, and we see Angel
Central as the perfect home for our next chapter. Our very first Soul Mama location was originally meant to be in Islington,
so in many ways this feels like a homecoming. Having received so much love for Soul Mama in Stratford, we cannot wait to
bring that same energy to the heart of north London and continue growing our community. It will be a real joy to bring more
music, culture and connection to such a vibrant and spirited destination. Islington is about to get even more soul”
Simon Prince, Asset Manager at CBRE Investment Management, commented: “Soul Mama will be a key addition to Angel
Central, diversifying an already vibrant line-up of retail and F& B brands. This unique concept provides an amazing audience
experience, reflected by its popularity and expansion. It will be a musical hub on the first floor, driving footfall, encouraging
all-day visitation and bringing new visitors to the centre.”
For more details on the crowdfund, visit w
