Seckou Keita announces UK and Belgium autumn tour

The musician confirmed the news on social media: “These are going to be very special shows with some totally amazing musicians from Senegal,” he wrote.

The tour will be in support of his new album, Homeland: Chapter 1, due on 18 October via Hudson Records. Days ago, he unveiled ‘Chaque Jour’, the second single from the upcoming LP. “I’m so proud of the beautiful work that went into it,” he said about the song. The album’s first single ‘Ni Mala Beugué’, was released in June.

When it arrives, Homeland: Chapter 1 will be the latest addition to Seckou Keita’s discography, which includes 12 albums as a leader and co-leader, and collaborations with artists such as Cuban pianist Omar Sosa, Africa Express, and Paul Weller.

Keita’s latest tour announcement arrives on the heels of his inclusion in this year’s POWER UP cohort, which champions Black music creators and professionals and combats racism and inequality in the industry. Along with over 30 other creatives, he benefits from the initiative, which assists a 160-person network with grants of up to £15 000, masterclasses, mentoring, coaching, and mental health support.

After moving to the UK in 1999, Seckou Keita quickly established himself as a leading figure in kora music. He gained early recognition performing with the Afro-Celtic band Baka Beyond and was a key figure in developing the UK’s first kora examination course at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London.

In July last year, he was awarded an honorary doctorate degree in music by Nottingham Trent University in the UK. His other accolades include three Songlines Music Awards and several BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, including Musician of the Year.

Seckou Keita Autumn 2024 tour dates:

UK:

• 24 October - Southampton
• 25 October - Bradford-on-Avon
• 26 October - Shoreham-by-Sea
• 27 October - Milton Keynes
• 28 October - Bury St Edmunds
• 30 October - Nottingham
• 31 October - Sunderland
• 2 November - Sheffield
• 3 November - London
• 6 November - Kendal
• 7 November - Leeds
• 8 November - Manchester
• 9 November - Bangor
• 10 November - Liverpool
• 12 November - Bristol

Belgium:

• 14 November - Dendermonde
• 15 November - Bornem
• 16 November - Zaventem
• 17 November - Sint-Niklaas
• 19 November - Ternat
• 20 November - Brugge
• 21 November - Brussels