Sababa 5

Tel Aviv’s Sababa 5 bring a live set that threads Middle Eastern funk, psych-tinged grooves and shades of 70s Levantine pop. Formed as a tight-knit quintet from the Israeli scene, they first honed their language on a string of 45s and live sessions, then fixed it on a self-titled debut in 2021 for London imprint Batov Records. On stage, the focus is the pulse: nimble, driving basslines, reverb-drenched guitars and melodic figures drawn from Yemeni and wider Mediterranean traditions. Pieces stay concise and built for movement, leaving space for sharp, contained improvisations while keeping a clear, singable line at the center.

The band also folds in collaborations with regional voices, notably singer Shiran, which adds a pop narrative to certain tracks without diluting the instrumental core. For this date, special guests join to expand the palette, tipping the set from heady instrumentals to vocal-led detours. Sababa 5 with Special Guests takes place at The Pearl in Vancouver on September 30, 2026.