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KOKOROKO
announce AUS + NZ Tour Dates
Playing Sydney, Melbourne,
Brisbane, Auckland

+ STRAWBERRY FIELDS
this November

Presented by ASTRAL PEOPLE + HANDSOME TOURS

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“It’s almost like these magical creatures from another dimension listened to jazz and said ‘we think we can do that’ … you can hear them venturing out into neo-soul, american funk, lovers rock… it’s so expansive, so diverse in sound, so diverse in ideas.” NPR

“a beauty that draws in a casual listener with a catchy, heartfelt harmony or memorable riff, but also provides a rich melange of inspirations for a trained ear, from afrobeat to jazz, soul, funk, and beyond.” Hypebeast

“a vital example of not only jazz’s new form but the shape of things to come for British music” The Guardian

“Kokoroko are harnessing the transformative nature of Afrobeat for a new generation.”  Crack Magazine

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Following the release of their second studio album Tuff Times Never Last (out via Brownswood Recordings), London-based jazz collective Kokoroko today announce their Tuff Times Never Last AUS & NZ tour – with headline shows in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Auckland alongside the sold-out Strawberry Fields Festival in Tocumwal this November.

Pre-sale starts Wed 23 July at 11am (local), with general sale on Thu 24 Jul at 11am (local). PRE-SALE TICKETS HERE.

With a musicality shaped by the rich musical traditions of Western Africa and all steeped in London’s cultural diversity, Kokoroko first formed in 2014 when Sheila Maurice-Grey (trumpet/flugelhorn/vocals) and Onome Edgeworth (percussion) met on an arts trip in Kenya and bonded over their shared tastes in music and desire to connect young people in the African diaspora with genres like Afrobeat and Highlife. 

Their breakthrough was secured when the sparse ‘Abusey Junction’ was included on Gilles Peterson’s We Out Here compilation, and since they’ve gone to clock 75+ million streams, sell out tours across the UK, Brazil, India and perform at numerous international music events including Glastonbury, Wide Awake Festival and more. 

Their new body of work, Tuff Times Never Last, is a spirited and vibrant collection of songs serving as an optimistic reminder to tightly hold and embrace the many dualities that occur in life. Over the course of the 11-song suite, the album explores togetherness, community, sensuality, childhood, loss and perseverance, expanding on their wide-ranging palette and influences that includes 80s Brit-funk, neo-soul, West African disco, bossa nova, lovers rock and funk.

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Across the tour, Kokoroko will be joined by special guests Setwun & the Soulstranauts and Romi Wrights & The Commotions on selected dates. More details BELOW.

KOKOROKO
Full Band Personnel

Sheila Maurice-Grey (co-bandleader / trumpet / flugelhorn / vocals) 
Onome Edgeworth (co-bandleader / percussion) 
Anoushka Nanguy ( trombone / vocals) 
Tobi Adenaike (guitar / vocals) 
Yohan Kebede (keyboards / synthesizers / vocals) 
Duane Atherley (bass, vocals) 
Ayo Salawu (drums, vocals)

Additional Personnel

Chelsea Carmichael (tenor saxophone / bass clarinet / flute)

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KOKOROKO
TUFF TIMES NEVER LAST
AUS & NZ Tour

Presented by Astral People and Handsome Tours

Tickets on sale HERE

TOUR DATES

Thu 20 Nov – Princess Theatre – Meanjin/Brisbane^
Fri 21 Nov – Forum – Naarm/Melbourne^
Sat 22 Nov – Strawberry Fields Festival – Yorta Yorta/Tocumwal (SOLD OUT)
Mon 24 Nov – Metro Theatre – Eora/Sydney^
Wed 26 Nov – Powerstation – Auckland/NZ*

^with Setwun & the Soulstranauts
*with Romi Wrights & The Commotions

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Tuff Times Never Last LP is out now, buy/stream here

TRACKLIST

1. Never Lost
2. Sweetie
3. Closer To Me
4. My Father in Heaven
5. Idea 5 (Call My Name) (feat. LULU)
6. Three Piece Suit (feat. Azekel)
7. Time and Time (feat. Demae)
8. Da Du Dah
9. Together We Are
10. Just Can’t Wait

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Follow KOKOROKO 
Website – Instagram – X– Spotify

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AMNPLIFY – DB