We’re taking Manchester favourites Agbeko across the Northern Quarter to Soup Kitchen this October. Agbeko (originally an Ewe warrior dance) effortlessly draw inspiration from the golden age of 1970’s Nigerian, Ghanaian and Ethiopian dancefloors and deliver it through the filter of 11 young twenty-somethings who grew up on rock, funk and raucous-leaning jazz.
This October, the ’22-legged afro-party monster’ (Soundcrash) release their new 7” single Leaders of the Free World/Submit on the equally fast-rising Manchester independent label Stutter & Twitch.
The self-styled afro-rock-funk-psych spectacular released their debut E.P. ‘Unite’ in July 2017 and are rapidly gaining a reputation across the UK for a fierce, energetic and irresistibly danceable live show. Expect singalong originals, hard-hitting arrangements of Afro-funk and Ethiojazz rarities – all underpinned by politicized lyrical content, dirty guitars, wailing organs and healthy dose of on-stage sub-standard dance moves.
Since their formation in 2015, Agbeko have performed at festival stages across Europe including headlining slots at Bulgaria’s Meadows in the Mountains Festival, opening Manchester Jazz Festival and closing 2018’s Malta International Arts Festival all whilst touring the UK’s festival scene extensively (Green Man, Boomtown, Kendal Calling, Secret Garden Party). Alongside the upcoming single 7” release, the next 12 months sees the band open for Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, represent young UK artists at Milan’s Linecheck festival and hit the studio ahead of a UK tour in spring 2019.
‘Manchester’s finest – and most persuasive – advert for quixotic musical adventure’ – Manchester Evening News
‘Outstanding.’ – Jazzwise
This is a standing show.
