"Step forward 12 versatile musicians with a reverence for the masters and a desire to tread their own path." SONGLINES MAGAZINE
12-piece Agbeko are an Afrobeat-inspired juggernaut born out of reverence for music of West Africa in the 1970s and mixed in a cauldron of psychedelic rock, funk, Ethio-jazz, avant-garde and contemporary UK jazz. Channelled through an onslaught of horns, irresistible grooves and powerful lyrics, Agbeko's songs strive to call out corruption and embolden the collective pull towards societal change and healing in present times. Their music soundtracks a congregation revelling upon a world teetering on the edge of collapse.
Drawing as equally from Fela Kuti and Mulatu Astatke as they do from Led Zeppelin and Woody Guthrie, ‘Agbeko are their own force of nature, with a message, an understanding and a consitent ability to erupt a dance floor’ (Groovement). For WOMEX 2024, they are selected representatives of their hometown Manchester at the showcase’s opening concert at The Bridgewater Hall.
Drawing as equally from Fela Kuti and Mulatu Astatke as they do from Led Zeppelin and Woody Guthrie, ‘Agbeko are their own force of nature, with a message, an understanding and a consitent ability to erupt a dance floor’ (Groovement). For WOMEX 2024, they are selected representatives of their hometown Manchester at the showcase’s opening concert at The Bridgewater Hall.
'There Must Be Another Way', was released in late-2023 with an accompanying headline tour. The album has been featured on international radio including Groove Africa (Ghana), Headline.CZ, BBC Radio 6 (Tom Robinson), Worldwide FM, Radio Capital (Italy) and Radio 3 (Spain). Songlines Magazine have printed (January 2024) that ‘the spectacular chemistry shared by this large band is electric and emotive, and the talents of each member/instrument are well-balanced in the mix’. This album builds upon Agbeko’s three previous self-releases since 2017: including debut album, 'D.O.D' (2020), which was featured on Bandcamp Daily. Agbeko recorded their next studio album in May 2024. .
Other outstanding press coverage in the UK and internationally has included Jazzwise Magazine (live review: March 2020), 'Guide To World Of Music’ ('Ones To Watch' in 2019 alongside Nubiyan Twist and Steam Down), an exclusive feature in Vice (Italy), multiple 'New And Notable' listings on the Bandcamp Homepage, and on British Airways' 'Next Big Thing' in-flight radio programme.
Agbeko’s fearless musical spirit has equally seen them build a following overseas. In autumn 2023 they gave their debut shows in Spain, following on from recently headlining Dauphine Jazz Festival (Paris), being selected as the UK representative for Milan’s Linecheck Festival & Showcase, and giving the closing performance at Malta International Arts Festival. These are in addition to performances at Meadows In The Mountains (Bulgaria), Kulturverein Beserlpark (Austria) and Soundwave (Croatia).
The latest generation as proud ambassador to hometown Manchester’s rich musical heritage, Agbeko have been stalwarts of the UK’s much-lauded festival scene, including performances at Green Man, Wilderness, Secret Garden Party, Blue Dot, The Great Escape, Boomtown, Kendal Calling, Kelburn Garden Party, Timber Festival, Oxford Festival of the Arts and Manchester Jazz Festival.
The latest generation as proud ambassador to hometown Manchester’s rich musical heritage, Agbeko have been stalwarts of the UK’s much-lauded festival scene, including performances at Green Man, Wilderness, Secret Garden Party, Blue Dot, The Great Escape, Boomtown, Kendal Calling, Kelburn Garden Party, Timber Festival, Oxford Festival of the Arts and Manchester Jazz Festival.
Manchester's finest - and most persuasive - advert for quixotic musical adventure |
Agbeko have developed their sound to the point of distinction ...deeply danceable, lyrically poignant and importantly, identifiable. |