The concert will mark the first performance of Kidjo’s year-long world tour which will include dates in Australia, Asia, Europe, South America, before concluding at New York’s Carnegie Hall in 2024.

As part of the EFG London Jazz Festival, the concert will celebrate the career-spanning catalogue of one of Africa’s best-known artists, with TIME magazine describing Kidjo as ‘Africa's premier diva’ and being included in their list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2021. Kidjo, who is the recipient of the prestigious 2023 Polar Music Prize, has become renowned for merging the West African traditions of her childhood with American R&B, funk and jazz, alongside influences from Europe and Latin America. 

Angélique Kidjo said, “Celebrating my 40-year career at the Royal Albert Hall is a dream come true. It is one of my favourite venues in the world. I intend to bring the spirit, beauty and warmth of the African continent to its walls in November!”

Matt Todd, Director of Programming at the Royal Albert Hall, said, “It is a real privilege for us to be hosting the debut concert of Angélique’s upcoming world tour here at the Hall. She has achieved so much throughout her career, so to be able to celebrate the 40^th anniversary in this historic building is a truly special occasion. The fact that she will be performing some of her best-loved songs alongside the Chineke! Orchestra will undoubtedly make for an unforgettable night, and we can’t wait to see what she has in store for us.”

A UNICEF and OXFAM Goodwill Ambassador, Kidjo has appeared at the Hall twice before – at the 2019 BBC Proms and at a 2008 Stars of Africa fundraising concert. She has also performed at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony in July 2021, and collaborated with high-profile artists throughout her career, such as Burna Boy, Philip Glass, Sting, Carlos Santana, Alicia Keys, Joss Stone and Peter Gabriel, among many others. 

The EFG London Jazz Festival is London's biggest pan-city music festival, taking place annually every November since 1992. It has long been acclaimed for showcasing a mix of global talent and emerging artists, with over 50 events taking place at the Royal Albert Hall since 2008. Angélique Kidjo’s performance will mark the first EFG London Jazz Festival performance to take place in the historic auditorium.

Pre-sale for Royal Albert Hall Friends & Patrons at 10am on Thu 8 Jun.

Tickets on general sale from 10am on Fri 9 Jun.

Listings info:

Royal Albert Hall

Kensington Gore

London SW7 2AP

www.royalalberthall.com / 020 7589 8212

Anqélique Kidjo

Fri 17 Nov

Tickets available from £35

About the Royal Albert Hall:

The Royal Albert Hall is the world’s most famous stage. Throughout its 152-year history, it has welcomed a who’s who of world-renowned figures: artists, athletes and activists. No other place on earth has played host to Winston Churchill, Albert Einstein and Muhammad Ali; Ella Fitzgerald, The Beatles and Adele. This was the Suffragettes’ “temple of liberty” – the site of Votes for Women rallies that helped change the course of British history – the home of the Stonewall concerts, and a place of celebration during Nelson Mandela’s state visit. But its eccentric history has also seen it used for a séance, an indoor marathon and the world’s first bodybuilding contest (judged by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle).

In an ordinary year, the Hall’s extraordinary auditorium presents around 400 world-class events: encompassing rock, pop and classical music, theatre, dance, films, Cirque du Soleil and sport. It typically welcomes 1.8 million visitors a year, while its 1,000 events in secondary spaces help to attract a young, diverse audience. Its Engagement programme includes music therapy, concerts in the community, and workshops with A-list artists, often in collaboration with other charities, such as Nordoff Robbins and Music for Youth.