Nizlopi

Nizlopi is the Anglo-Irish duo of Luke Concannon and John Parker, best known for their chart-topping hit “The JCB Song”, their influence on Ed Sheeran, and the unique connection they create with audiences.

The pair met on a school bus in Warwick, England, aged 13, and quickly began writing and performing together. Drawing inspiration from folk, soul, and hip-hop, they developed a distinctive sound featuring Luke’s vocals and guitar alongside John’s double bass and beatboxing.

In 2001, they launched their own independent label, FDM Records, with support from Luke’s family. Determined to retain creative freedom, they turned down major label offers and built a career on their own terms. Their fans included Daniel Day-Lewis, Hugh Jackman, and Jamie Cullum, while a young Ed Sheeran interned with the band and still describes them as his heroes.

Their breakthrough came with “The JCB Song,” which reached No. 1 in the UK and Ireland and sold millions of copies. They released several acclaimed albums and became renowned for spontaneous, intimate live performances that often turned audiences into choirs.

Nizlopi became a victim of its own success. In the busyness and overwhelm they lost themselves and relationships, and parted ways in 2009. The collapse of Nizlopi and their record label was devastating for all involved. In the wake of Nizlopi’s dissolution, Luke and John sought individual musical projects while remaining committed to their friendship which was always at the heart of their music-making.

In 2025 Ed Sheeran invited Nizlopi to open his LOOP tour of Europe, around the time the duo were feeling called back to each other. Sheeran’s LOOP tour took them back to stages they had played twenty years prior. Nizlopi followed this with a sold out tour of UK venues in early 2026 during which they previewed new material. An EP and gigs are rumoured for 2027, and a new full-album release in 2028. Nizlopi are excited to be sharing their new songs with folks in these troubled times, bringing joy and truth where ere they go.