Laylet Sama: An evening of Palestinian Jazz

Candles lit.

Drinks poured.

A room full of the best people.

Join us at Red Light, for an intimate evening of Palestinian jazz. 

Through rare recordings from Palestine, forgotten albums, Arabic poetry and jazz, you’ll sit down to experience music that has carried across generations. .

Manchester doesn’t get many evenings like this. We’re excited to share it with you. 

The evening will begin with a live opening set from Ellen Beth Abdi, joined by Badr Salah and Ramsey Janini, before we hear from The Palestinian Sound Archive. There will be a break between sets, with time to farfesh and chitchat, to discuss the evening - and anything else. Politics, cinema, life, whether Iraqi or Syrian shawarma is best, how your teta could have hosted a jazz night better than us. Whatever you like.

Mo’min Swaitat set up the Palestinian Sound Archive to preserve and celebrate music, spoken word from historic Palestine. Coming from a long line of Bedouin musicians and storytellers, he uses the archive to explore how music reflects culture, identity and a sense of belonging.

Your ticket includes access to the Palestinian jazz session and a signature welcome cocktail from Red Light, with drinks available throughout the evening and snacks to nibble on.

Some sounds survive long after borders are drawn. This is a chance to hear them through jazz.

The Key Details

📅 Date: Thursday 3rd December 2026

🕖 Time: 7:00pm - 11:00pm

📍 Venue: Red Light

🎷 Opening live set from Ellen Beth Abdi, joined by Palestinian flute and Arabic loot

🎵 A journey through Palestinian jazz with The Palestinian Sound Archive

🎧 Palestinian DJ set to round off the evening

🍷 Welcome drink included, with a full drinks menu available throughout the night

Please note that all tickets are non-refundable.