Kanda Bongo Man

A concert by Kanda Bongo Man, the Congolese soukous singer, at the Fox & Firkin in London, with Get Ready appearing alongside.

Kanda Bongo Man is the stage name of a Congolese singer associated with soukous, the dance music that grew out of Kinshasa and Brazzaville and became popular across central and eastern Africa. The artist built a long career on upbeat rhythms, sung largely in Lingala, and is widely followed among listeners of African dance music in Europe. Get Ready is also on the bill, so the evening combines a headline performance with a support set.

Live, soukous concerts are usually built around energetic dance numbers, with the rhythm carrying the evening rather than extended instrumental passages. Audiences tend to include fans of Congolese music who come to dance as much as to listen, and the format suits an evening of movement and call-and-response singing.

The Fox & Firkin hosts concerts and shows in London, and this performance takes place there as part of its live programme. The night suits those who enjoy African dance music and want to see a Congolese artist in a club-style setting in the capital.