Moustapha Noumbissi ignites the Marina Stage with indie rock and psychedelic soul

The Belgium-born, Philly-based singer-songwriter Moustapha Noumbissi appeared in the drippiest fit of the fest thus far. An intricate white and teal muscle tee, black sunglasses, some cargo jeans and his sweet personality radiated on the Marina stage. During the set he took a moment to address his heritage and breakdown the fit in question. “If you guys are curious about this little piece I’m wearing right now, it’s the fabric of Cameroonian heritage…I’m from a town called Foumban.” A group in the audience screamed louder than anyone else, prompting Noumbissi to note “…and that’s my family right there.” He continued talking about how the Cameroonian king just paid a visit to the states, and encouraged the audience to check out his recent Instagram post to learn more about Cameroon.

It’s clear that though the Moustapha Noumbissi indie rock outfit was built out of Philly, his unique fusion of sounds were fostered and represent his Cameroonian upbringing. Growing up immersed in a wide array of musical traditions, from West African drumming to American pop and choral music, his musical journey has been diverse and multifaceted. Noumbissi played a short but sweet set for us back in May for our annual NON-COMM event. This afternoon Noumbissi got to play a bit longer and really took the opportunity to stretch out and show off his work.

Moustapha Noumbissi | photo by Megan Matuzak for WXPN

Moustapha has been actively involved in the Philadelphia music scene, with appearances on WXPN’s Key Studio Sessions as well as Free at Noon. His live performances often feature “Stumble” he played today at XPoNential. Its starry string notes, more timid guitar and drums later opened up when keyboardist Erik Kramer produced whooshing sounds using his noise oscillator. Noumbissi followed up with “Good Life,” which balanced meditative lyrics with a dynamic solo battle between the lead guitarist Will Brown and Noumbissi, creating an immersive soundscape that pulled the audience into his world of reflection and yearning.

The themes of “Good Life” continued on new single “Layla,” Noumbissi introducing the song as a track about his first love. The sonic landscape of “Layla” was dreamy dressed with a lingering 80s synth sound; you can tell Moustapha’s music has found a home in the studio with producer Lee Clarke and co-producer Brown. The result has been a string of releases that showcase his fully-formed artistic voice, which melds indie rock with psychedelic soul, creating a genre-bending sound reminiscent of artists like Michael Kiwanuka and Jimi Hendrix. “Operator” was a more mellow song that featured a unique hint of folk, when Kramer pulled out a pedal steel and started laying down some chords.

“Let me give WXPN the thousandth shoutout, this next song was the 78th most played song on WXPN radio last year…thank you so much, honestly you guys are all family to me.” That WXPN favorite is “Gold,” a song that made an unsurprising appearance on WXPN Homegrown Originals Volume 2, a compilation highlighting the rich musical community of Southeastern Pennsylvania. He finished off his set with “Sweet,” that began with subtle crash hits using Keaton Thandi’s toolbox of unique drum equipment, from mallets to shakers, each adding different textures to his backing percussion.

From his childhood performances in the Bryn Mawr Boys Choir to his present-day recordings, Moustapha’s journey has been one of constant evolution and dedication to his craft. He has also been a dedicated music teacher, sharing his passion with the next generation. Through his lyrics and cultural influences, he offers a personal and emotional experience, addressing identity and emotion with every song.