Agbeko [afrobeat/psych-rock/ethiojazz]

Agbeko

“Manchester’s finest – and most persuasive – advert for quixotic musical adventure” – Manchester Evening News

“Agbeko have developed their sound to the point of distinction…deeply danceable, lyrically poignant and importantly, identifiable.” – The Guide to the World of Music

Agbeko embodies a heady concoction of Afrobeat, psych-rock, Ethiojazz and Protest Song. 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. They are the soundtrack for 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 an consistent ability to erupt a dance floor.’ – Groovement

The latest generation as proud ambassadors to hometown Manchester’s rich musical heritage, Agbeko’s fearless musical spirit has seen them build a following overseas. Most recently, they headlined the Dauphine Jazz Festival (Paris), were selected as the UK representative for Milan’s Linecheck Festival & Showcase and closed Malta International Arts Festival. These are in addition to performances at Soundwave (Croatia), Meadows In The Mountains (Bulgaria), and Kulturverein Beserlpark (Austria).

Named Band on the Wall’s ‘one to watch’ in 2019, Agbeko has launched into the post- lockdown world armed with a new album ‘There Must Be Another Way’, for release in 2023. This builds on the DIY ethos demonstrated across three releases since 2017: including the independently released debut album D.O.D (2020), which was featured on Bandcamp Daily. Agbeko are stalwarts of the UK’s much-lauded festival scene, including performances at Green Man, Wilderness, Secret Garden Party, Blue Dot, The Great Escape, Boomtown, Kelburn Garden Party, Timber Festival, Oxford Festival of the Arts and Manchester Jazz Festival.

Agbeko continues to receive outstanding reviews and coverage in UK press: from ‘Jazzwise’ Magazine (live review: March 2020) to ‘Songlines Magazine (introduction feature: February 2019) and the ‘Guide to World of Music’ (‘Ones To Watch’ in 2019, alongside Nubiyan Twist and Steam Down). International press includes an exclusive feature in Vice, Italy; a ‘New and Notable’ listing on the Bandcamp Homepage for debut album D.O.D; and on British Airways’ ‘Next Big Thing’ in-flight radio programme.

“Step forward 12 versatile musicians with a reverence for the masters and a desire to tread their own path.” – Songlines Magazine