‘I want to show the world the richness and beauty of African culture ... and I feel music is the best vehicle to carry that message.’ That mission has sustained the career of five-time Grammy Award-winner Angélique Kidjo for over four decades. Following her Proms debut back in 2019, the Benin-born ‘queen of African music’ returns for a showcase as part of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, paying tribute to her African heritage and taking in iconic tracks from legends such as Miriam Makeba, Fela Kuti, Hugh Masekela and Youssou N’Dour. ‘I wanted to tell a story based on my personal experience and my musical background,’ says Kidjo. ‘I also wanted to speak of the struggles that artists encounter in the pursuit of their music.’

Angélique Kidjo: African Symphony

Bradford Theatres

Having previously worked with orchestras across the world including Metropole Orkest, Britten Sinfonia and London Symphony Orchestra, Mercury Prize nominee and Ivor Novello Lifetime Achievement recipient, Sawhney is inspired by music from around the globe as he responds to multiculturalism, politics and spirituality. The wealth of artists he has worked with includes Sir Paul McCartney, Anoushka Shankar, Akram Khan, Pink Floyd and Jools Holland. He has released over 20 albums and written around 70 film and TV scores, including Netflix’s Mowgli and the BBC’s award-winning Human Planet series. Together with the Hallé, this multi-talented artist will perform tracks from his albums Prophesy, Beyond Skin, Immigrants and his latest release, Identity.

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The Hallé Presents: Nitin Sawhney in Concert

The Bridgewater Hall

Sir Lenny Henry presents a special concert at the Royal Albert Hall marking 50 years of Black-owned soul music label Philadelphia International Records.

The Sound of Philadelphia

Royal Albert Hall

A landmark collaboration with the V&A East Museum and Friday Night is Music Night, celebrating the impact of Black British music on British culture.

Chris Cameron

Events

Upcoming events

Nov 11, 2026

The Music is Black: Live · BBC Philharmonic

Past events

Sep 7, 2025

Angélique Kidjo: African Symphony · BBC Philharmonic

Dec 5, 2024

The Hallé Presents: Nitin Sawhney in Concert · The Hallé

Future and recently performed repertoire

Conductor in African Symphony by Kidjo

BBC Philharmonic

About

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