Satnam Galsian

Satnam Galsian’s music explores the roles of women in South Asian culture drawing on Punjabi folklore tales as a starting point. This performance reveals striking parallels: the expectations placed on women, the consequences of defiance, and the quiet resilience woven through generations of storytelling. Moving between past and present, tradition and reinterpretation, the performance invites audiences to hear these familiar tales anew, not as fixed legends, but as living voices that continue to evolve, question, and resist.

The evening will feature new pieces from Love or Sacrifice, a co-commission by Oldham Coliseum Theatre, The Old Courts Wigan and Manchester Jazz Fest, Sahiban which was created in 2024 during her Opera North Resonance residency and more. Satnam will be joined by musicians John Hogg and Simon Henry.

Satnam is a British Asian singer-songwriter and progressive folk artist from Leeds, whose music blends the rich tradition of Punjabi folk with contemporary, feminist storytelling. Through her distinctive sound, Satnam reimagines the vibrant narratives of her heritage, responding to traditional Punjabi songs through a modern and empowering lens.

Her songs are deeply rooted in her personal experiences, drawing on her own journey of identity, belonging, and empowerment. With themes that centre around women’s stories, Satnam explores the complexities of navigating multiple cultural worlds and the strength that comes from embracing one’s true self.

With two self-released EPs, Fragmented Truth and Sahiban, Satnam has begun to carve out her own space in the folk music scene. She was a recipient of the EFDSS Alan James Creative Bursary 2023 and an Opera North Resonance residency 2024, both of which have allowed her to expand her artistic vision and deepen her musical craft.

As an artist who is redefining what it means to carry forward Punjabi folk music, Satnam continues to break boundaries and amplify voices often left unheard.

John Hogg studied jazz at Leeds Conservatoire, and later returned to study North Indian classical music with renowned Indian music teacher Dharambir Singh. He is equally at home on both electric and acoustic guitar and employs influences from Indian classical music, the classical guitar repertoire, blues, British folk – he is a life long Bert Jansch fan - and jazz, rock and pop in equal measure.

Simon Henry is a UK-based jazz drummer performing with Mu Quintet and a range of leading ensembles across the country. An active presence on the contemporary jazz scene, he has played extensively throughout the UK and Europe, with recordings released on vinyl and streamed over 1.5 million times worldwide.

Doors open at 7pm; gig starts at 7.30pm.

Presented by EFDSS.

This ticket price includes a 50p building levy.