OTION and The Submarines ft Ina Seidou in Concert
DRUM = HEART = ONE
On May 30th, Felix Meritis will transform into a living, breathing soundscape as OTION and The Submarines take the stage for an immersive concert experience — a full live band performance featuring special guest Ina Seidou, a blend of beloved and unreleased material, and a deep focus on rhythm as the center of spirit and movement.
Deel dit programma Facebook TwitterAmsterdam -based artist OTION – Master of Sceneries, known for his ability to sculpt atmosphere through voice, rhythm, and presence, will create an experience that is both intimate and expansive. His work fuses r&b, ambient, soul, hip hop, poetic storytelling, and rhythmic ancestral influences into music that moves not only through the ears, but through the body as medicine.
The Submarines — the live band founded by OTION — is an extension of his artistic direction, embodying the pulse and depth of his sonic landscapes. Together, they create musical journeys grounded in groove and elevated by improvisation, ritual, and raw emotion.
Ina Seidou will join and empower the space with her soulful, funky powerhouse of a voice, inviting in the spirit of Benin calling all the bodies into motion.
This concert is a celebration of the heartbeat — the drum — as the force that animates, activates, and connects. It’s a call to presence, where the audience doesn’t just listen, but becomes part of the rhythm itself.
OTION – Master of Sceneries®
Theo d’Or and AFK Prize-nominee (2024)
OTION (Guillermo Armand Blinker) is a multidisciplinary artist whose work explores the intersections of sound, movement, and storytelling to create transformative experiences. His art is deeply inspired by water, a powerful metaphor for fluidity, transformation, and spiritual connection.
In OTION’s performances, soundscapes blend harmonized, loop-based vocals with influences from African American, Afro Surinamese and west African musical traditions. These sonic landscapes are the foundation for his immersive performances, where movement and ritual guide the audience on a journey of self-discovery and healing.
With a rich background in choreography, dance, songwriting and composition, OTION crafts performances that invite audiences into liminal spaces—moments of transition and potential where profound personal change can occur.
His poetic lyricism and songwriting often reflect themes of transformation, spiritual connection, and his queer perspective, offering both emotional resonance and intellectual depth.
At the core of OTION’s work is a commitment to creating spaces that transcend the ordinary. As a “Master of Sceneries,” his presence transforms every venue into a ceremonial space where participants are invited to reconnect with themselves and each other. His performances have taken him around the world, from Amsterdam to New York, Cape Town to Vienna, leaving a trail of transformative experiences in their wake.
Master Of SceneriesDefinition: refers to someone who excels in creating immersive and impressive environments with his presence through different art forms and interventions. One who has the skill to craft rich, detailed and captivating experiences that evoke specific atmospheres or scenes.”
Lees meerIna Seidou
Ina Seidou is an internationally acclaimed performer, celebrated for her work in major productions across London’s West End and Australia. She starred as the leading lady in the renowned Michael Jackson show Thriller Live, performing at the West End before joining its global tour. Ina also captivated audiences with her portrayal of Tina Turner in Tina: The Tina Turner Musical in both the Netherlands and Australia, showcasing her powerful stage presence and emotional depth on an international scale.
Hailing from Baarn, The Netherlands, Ina brings a compelling fusion of cultures to her artistry, born to a Beninese West African mother and a Dutch European father. Her performances radiate with a rich blend of power, light, and vibrant energy. From a young age, she discovered her passion for singing and dancing, which has since led her to stages around the world. Since 2016, she has been an active force in the entertainment industry, enchanting global audiences with her dynamic voice and magnetic movement.
After a transformative year in Australia, Ina has returned home to begin a new chapter—exploring her own sound and story. A creative spirit with a soulful voice, Ina Seidou’s performances are heartfelt and disarming, always leaving a lasting impression.
Lees meerThe Submarines
The Submarines is an eclectic band from Amsterdam, led by the dynamic artist OTION. Known for their genre-blurring fusion of soul, hip-hop, jazz, and funk, The Submarines craft a sound that is as vibrant as it is unique. OTION’s poetic lyricism and captivating stage presence are infused with the concept of liminality, reflecting the in-between spaces where boundaries dissolve and transformation begins. Joined by Nathan Klumperbeek, whose rhythmic grooves anchor the music, and Tez Thompson, a versatile guitarist, keys player, and vocalist, the band creates rich harmonic layers that evoke a sense of transition and possibility.
Their music resonates deeply with the spirit of liminality—hovering between genres, moments, and moods—immersing listeners in a soulful, ever-evolving journey that transcends conventional limits. Together, they push the boundaries of sound and experience, inviting their audience to step into the in-between and explore the potential of what lies beyond.
Lees meerWould you like to attend this program, but don’t have the means to pay for a ticket? Send an email to info@felixmeritis.nl, we can work something out.
