×
 |
Soul Mama has become one of London’s most distinctive music-led hospitality spaces, bringing together live performance, food, community and cultural energy under one roof.
Now the project has reached a major turning point.
After opening its first home at The Gantry in Stratford, Soul Mama has announced it must leave the space following changes in the hotel’s ownership structure. For any independent venue, losing a first home is a serious moment. For a space built through public backing, artist support and community belief, it matters beyond one building.
But Soul Mama is not closing the story. It is asking its community to help open the next chapter.
The Soul Mama Crowdfund 2026 aims to raise £1,000,000 in 60 days to support the launch of two new venues: Soul Mama Islington and Soul Mama Westfield Stratford.
The campaign will help cover the practical costs behind opening those spaces, including fit-out, kitchens, staging, sound and the details needed to create a working live music and dining venue.
At the time of writing, the campaign has raised £74,540 from 93 backers, with 38 days remaining.
Independent music spaces need more than good intentions. They need rooms, stages, sound, staff, audiences and people willing to invest in the culture they want to see survive.
Soul Mama sits in a vital space between restaurant, venue and community meeting point. It supports live music in a setting where audiences gather, eat, listen and connect. In a city where grassroots and independent spaces face constant pressure, this kind of project deserves attention.
Founded by YolanDa Brown OBE DL and Adetokunbo “T” Oyelola, Soul Mama has already shown the strength of community backing. Its earlier campaign became a Guinness World Record holder as the largest Kickstarter-funded restaurant globally.
The crowdfund offers several ways to get involved, including donations, memberships, gift vouchers, pre-booked meals, concert and dinner packages, launch event passes and private event bookings.
Supporters also have the chance to place their name on the Soul Mama Founders Wall.
If you believe in independent venues, live music, cultural spaces and community-built projects, this is a campaign worth looking at now.
