Singer-songwriter Anaiis is a self-described “globetrotter”. Though she’s lived in London for a bit more than a decade, she was raised between Dakar, Dublin and California after being born in Toulouse, France, and attended New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. The musician’s debut EP, Before Zero, was released in 2018 and a year later was followed by her first album, Darkness at Play.
Her latest album, Devotion & the Black Divine, came out in 2025 and is threaded with soulful storytelling grounded in a strong sense of self that’s been informed by motherhood and education. This week – following a raved-about appearance at Forwards Festival in Bristol on August 30 alongside other artists like Self Esteem, Wet Leg and Tems – Anaiis kicks off her first headline tour of North America in support of it.
As she gets ready to play across the US and Canada in cities like LA, New York and Toronto, Broadsheet asked Anaiis to share how she spends her time in London, from her perfect day off to her favourite recent cultural outing.
Hi Anaiis! Describe your perfect day off in London.
I’d start my day with some coffee and pick up a slice of pizza from my local bakery Chatsworth Bakehouse, then I’d go to my pottery studio for a few hours. I’d hit up Columbia Road Flower Market for a stroll if it was a Sunday, and finish the day with dinner at Okko.
What’s your favourite live music venue in London?
Royal Albert Hall is my dream venue to perform at in London.
What’s the essential play, TV show, song, book or film about London?
Definitely Paddington (lol) – the first two films are impeccable!
What’s your favourite London restaurant?
The Thin White Duke in Soho. This is more of a cocktail bar, but they serve dim sum tapas and they’re so yummy. The vibe in there is cute and quaint.
What’s a recent cultural outing that you’ve particularly loved?
Carni Jam by Touching Bass was a pre-Carnival party that I loved. I generally attend all Touching Bass’s events religiously! Last year they brought [Brazilian musician] Arthur Verocai to the Barbican and it was such an iconic moment!
Where would you take someone you’d like to impress?
Probably for a boat ride at Richmond Park and then have a picnic in the park.
What’s your top pick for coffee?
My favourite coffee shop in London is Hermanos, but it’s more of a takeaway vibe, so I tend to go to Lift coffee in Shoreditch when I also need somewhere to chill.
What are your favourite shops?
Where do you head when you need a break from the city?
Recently I went to Wales and it was beyond magical. I’m really trying to visit more of the countryside now and not always go abroad.
