The Ekene & Friends Experience is a curated live performance bringing together gifted original artists from the Monterey Peninsula and beyond — for one evening only, among the paintings of the Monterey Museum of Art's La Mirada.
Every song is original. Every artist owns their work. Expect the kind of musical conversation that only happens when artists who respect each other share a stage — moments that move between languages and traditions: West African melody, classical strings, and the songwriter's craft, woven together in real time, in a room where every seat is close to the music.
The Ekene & Friends Experience is the flagship night of 2 Lands — a platform founded by Ekene out of a simple frustration: the artists doing the most original work are often the least protected. Most of what reaches an audience today is filtered through algorithms built to optimize attention, not depth. This night exists for the artists still chasing depth.
We believe original art needs time, trust, and space — not just an audience. And we believe the room matters as much as the recording: music is meant to be witnessed in shared physical space, small, curated and attentive, received the way it was made. Heritage here is a gift, not a category — the West African melody and the classical violin invited into the same room, letting the conversation happen.
And this is only the beginning. October 3rd is Year One of a multi-year vision: a recurring annual gathering where global artists collaborate with the Monterey music community on the Central Coast. The people in the room this year are the founding audience of something built to last.
"My music analyzes the human condition. As artists, we have a responsibility to talk about the things happening around us."— Ekene, Monterey County Now
Classically trained violinist whose career has moved seamlessly between the concert hall and the recording studio. She has led the Monterey Symphony as President and CEO since 2016.
Central California singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer — blending reggae, rock, blues and what he calls "altfusion." Bandleader of Azi Fedoui and the Reggaesoldierz, and a regular voice in Monterey Bay's live music scene for more than a decade.
Guitarist, bassist and songwriter, bringing their own original work to the room.
Hosted and headlined by Ekene Music — Nigerian-born singer-songwriter, composer and self-taught guitarist of the Igbo tribe. Every song he performs is his own, written and arranged from the ground up: introspective storytelling, with sound.
"One night. Four voices. Something rare."
Saturday, October 3, 2026 · 6–9 PM · Monterey Museum of Art, La Mirada. A limited, curated room — when it's full, it's full. Secure checkout by Square.
Get Tickets — $60