Ibadan: Listening Bars — Nigerian Heritage and Sonic Warmth — Tracks & Tales Guide
Ibadan, one of Nigeria’s historic cities, has long nurtured music culture. Its listening bars are growing from grassroots, combining Afrobeat archives with local hospitality.
Venues include:
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Vinyl-led nights in community centres.
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Jazz-inspired lounges.
Ibadan matters because it extends Nigeria’s listening culture beyond Lagos, rooted in heritage and warmth.
Explore more: The Atlas | New York | Discover the music
Discover and book listening bars selected by the TRACKS & TALES Guide
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Lonely Mouth — Bristol’s Japanese Listening Café
Bristol’s first Japanese-inspired listening café, Lonely Mouth pairs vinyl sound, Japanese comfort food, and acoustic calm on Gloucester Road.
Lonely Mouth — Bristol’s Japanese Listening Café
Bristol’s first Japanese-inspired listening café, Lonely Mouth pairs vinyl sound, Japanese comfort food, and acoustic calm on Gloucester Road.
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Wax on Hi-Fi — Los Angeles’ Groove Café
In downtown Los Angeles, Wax on Hi-Fi blends vinyl listening, Japanese-Creole cuisine, and hand-built hi-fi warmth — a modern café where sound and flavour move in sync.
Wax on Hi-Fi — Los Angeles’ Groove Café
In downtown Los Angeles, Wax on Hi-Fi blends vinyl listening, Japanese-Creole cuisine, and hand-built hi-fi warmth — a modern café where sound and flavour move in sync.
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CITY COUNTRY CITY — Shimokitazawa’s Analogue Ho...
Hidden above the streets of Shimokitazawa, CITY COUNTRY CITY blends café culture and vinyl ritual into one of Tokyo’s most modern yet nostalgic listening rooms.
CITY COUNTRY CITY — Shimokitazawa’s Analogue Ho...
Hidden above the streets of Shimokitazawa, CITY COUNTRY CITY blends café culture and vinyl ritual into one of Tokyo’s most modern yet nostalgic listening rooms.
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Glitch Coffee & Roasters — Tokyo’s Quiet Precision
In Kanda’s book-lined streets, Glitch Coffee & Roasters pairs single-origin beans with vinyl warmth and Tannoy clarity — a café where sound is flavour.
Glitch Coffee & Roasters — Tokyo’s Quiet Precision
In Kanda’s book-lined streets, Glitch Coffee & Roasters pairs single-origin beans with vinyl warmth and Tannoy clarity — a café where sound is flavour.
The Daily Read
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The Fourth Month
As Tracks & Tales enters its fourth month, Rafi Mercer reflects on global growth across 91 countries and 1,274 cities — and why the question “how to build a listening...
The Fourth Month
As Tracks & Tales enters its fourth month, Rafi Mercer reflects on global growth across 91 countries and 1,274 cities — and why the question “how to build a listening...
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The Sound of 4 A.M.
Rafi Mercer reflects on the rare quiet of 4 a.m. — a moment when silence hums, thought slows, and the act of listening begins before the music ever starts.
The Sound of 4 A.M.
Rafi Mercer reflects on the rare quiet of 4 a.m. — a moment when silence hums, thought slows, and the act of listening begins before the music ever starts.
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The Quiet Curve
Rafi Mercer reflects on the quiet rhythm of growth behind Tracks & Tales — a meditation on patience, data, and the sound of momentum building in silence.
The Quiet Curve
Rafi Mercer reflects on the quiet rhythm of growth behind Tracks & Tales — a meditation on patience, data, and the sound of momentum building in silence.
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Old Speakers, New Ears
Rafi Mercer reflects on testing vintage BeoVox speakers through a Technics 1210 MK2 — exploring how age, imperfection, and history shape the sound of modern jazz and vinyl.
Old Speakers, New Ears
Rafi Mercer reflects on testing vintage BeoVox speakers through a Technics 1210 MK2 — exploring how age, imperfection, and history shape the sound of modern jazz and vinyl.
The Listening Shelf
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Submotion Orchestra – Finest Hour (2011)
Submotion Orchestra’s Finest Hour (2011) redefined British downtempo — a fusion of dub, jazz, and soul built for deep listening. Rafi Mercer on sound that breathes and endures.
Submotion Orchestra – Finest Hour (2011)
Submotion Orchestra’s Finest Hour (2011) redefined British downtempo — a fusion of dub, jazz, and soul built for deep listening. Rafi Mercer on sound that breathes and endures.
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Ezra Collective – You Can’t Steal My Joy (2019)
Ezra Collective’s You Can’t Steal My Joy (2019) turns rhythm into resistance — a London jazz record alive with groove, grace, and defiance. Rafi Mercer on music that celebrates, connects,...
Ezra Collective – You Can’t Steal My Joy (2019)
Ezra Collective’s You Can’t Steal My Joy (2019) turns rhythm into resistance — a London jazz record alive with groove, grace, and defiance. Rafi Mercer on music that celebrates, connects,...
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The KLF – Chill Out (1990)
The KLF’s Chill Out (1990) is ambient as pilgrimage — a lost road-trip record that rewards those who slow down enough to find it. Rafi Mercer on sound, space, and...
The KLF – Chill Out (1990)
The KLF’s Chill Out (1990) is ambient as pilgrimage — a lost road-trip record that rewards those who slow down enough to find it. Rafi Mercer on sound, space, and...
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Tricky – Maxinquaye (1995)
Tricky’s Maxinquaye (1995) remains a haunting masterpiece — part tribute, part transformation. Rafi Mercer on grief, gender, and the deep architecture of sound.
Tricky – Maxinquaye (1995)
Tricky’s Maxinquaye (1995) remains a haunting masterpiece — part tribute, part transformation. Rafi Mercer on grief, gender, and the deep architecture of sound.
The Pour
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Five Drinks for the Home Listening Bar
Five drinks that shape the perfect home listening bar — from the Old Fashioned to the Highball, Rafi Mercer explores the art of sound and taste.
Five Drinks for the Home Listening Bar
Five drinks that shape the perfect home listening bar — from the Old Fashioned to the Highball, Rafi Mercer explores the art of sound and taste.
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An Old Fashioned Kind of Origin
Rafi Mercer reflects on his drink of choice — the Old Fashioned — a simple, timeless ritual that resets the senses and sets the tone for slow listening around the...
An Old Fashioned Kind of Origin
Rafi Mercer reflects on his drink of choice — the Old Fashioned — a simple, timeless ritual that resets the senses and sets the tone for slow listening around the...
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The Shape of Oak — On the Making of Whisky Barrels
From oak forests to fire and iron hoops, whisky barrels shape every dram. Rafi Mercer explores the craft of coopers and the soul of the cask.
The Shape of Oak — On the Making of Whisky Barrels
From oak forests to fire and iron hoops, whisky barrels shape every dram. Rafi Mercer explores the craft of coopers and the soul of the cask.
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The Ten Whiskies That Belong in Your Cocktail C...
Ten whiskies belong in every cocktail cabinet. From rye to Japanese blends, Rafi Mercer explores the bottles that sing best when mixed.
The Ten Whiskies That Belong in Your Cocktail C...
Ten whiskies belong in every cocktail cabinet. From rye to Japanese blends, Rafi Mercer explores the bottles that sing best when mixed.
