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The piano trio has been one of the most durable, beloved, and flexible formats in jazz history. Manchester-based GoGo Penguin turns this most venerable construct on its ear, infusing direct influences from contemporary electronic music and modern classical concepts into their singular ensemble approach that has earned well-deserved raves from all corners of the music world. Pushing the jazz trio form in unprecedented new directions, GoGo Penguin truly sounds like nothing else on Earth.

The band’s hypnotic, swirling grooves are acoustic adaptations of pieces composed with sequencing software, and rely as much on additive development and dynamic contrasts as improvisation, with pianist Chris Illingworth’s powerful melodic statements anchored by Nick Blacka’s thunderous bass and the skittering break-beat rhythms of new drummer Jon Scott.

The strength of their first two independent albums and magnetic live performances led to inclusion on Rolling Stone’s list of “20 Great New British Artists to Watch,” as well as a deal with Blue Note Records, who released their 2016 breakout, Man Made Object.

After two further albums and a remix EP, the band underwent a series of personal and professional upheavals before regrouping with a new drummer, a new label, and a stunning new release, 2023’s Everything Is Going to Be Okay on XXIM Records.

SETLIST
all compositions by GoGo Penguin
Prayer
We May Not Stay
Atomised
Bardo
Erased by Sunlight
Wave Decay
All Res
Break
Everything is Going to Be OK
Ascent
Smarra
To Drown In You
Murmuration
Hopopono
Parasite

You're Stronger Than You Think
Protest

PERSONNEL
Chris Illingworth piano
Nick Blacka bass
Jon Scott drums