Nightmares On Wax Returns With Echo45 Sound System – A New Era of Sound System Culture

Nightmares On Wax , the longest-serving artist on Warp Records and one of UK music’s most enduring innovators, has announced his brand-new mixtape Echo45 Sound System, out digitally on November 14th, with a 2LP gold vinyl release following on December 5th.

Alongside the news, he’s dropped the first single “Bang Bien” featuring legendary lyricist Yasiin Bey, a powerful fusion of futuristic beats and sharp social commentary. The track lands with a striking animated video by Andy Baker Studios, bringing Nightmares On Wax’s sound system roots to life.

For George Evelyn, aka Nightmares On Wax, this project is both a homecoming and an evolution. Rooted in Leeds sound system culture, the title Echo45 nods back to the battered £5 speaker box that first set him on his path. Now, three decades on from classic projects like Smokers Delight and In A Space Outta Sound, Evelyn is reimagining that lineage for the future.

The 13-track tape blends hip-hop, soul, dub and electronica with features from Greentea Peng, Oscar Jerome, Louis VI, Sadie Walker, Liam Bailey, Haile Supreme and more. Beyond its collaborative energy, it includes a full continuous mix designed like a pirate radio broadcast – weaving in sound design, toasting and cultural drops from figures such as Gilles Peterson, Daddy G, Goldie and Moxie.

The mixtape arrives ahead of a huge moment for Nightmares On Wax: a one-night-only show at the Royal Albert Hall on 12th March 2026, where he’ll celebrate the anniversaries of Smokers Delight (30 years) and In A Space Outta Sound (20 years) with a full live band, string quartet, choir and surprise guests.

With Echo45 Sound System, Nightmares On Wax reaffirms his place as a pioneer , bridging eras while pushing the sound system spirit into new spaces.