Live Review: KOKOROKO - O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, London 01/12/2022
KOKOROKO bring a fusion of jazz and afrobeat to their biggest-ever UK show at the O2 Shepherds Bush Empire.
The London-based eight-piece musical group led by trumpeter Sheila Maurice-Grey is truly sitting at the intersection of past and present by sharing their cultural heritage through KOKOROKO’s music. And this message is not only embodied in their sound but also in the name of the octet translated from Nigerian Urhobo origin as “Be strong”. Their early track 'Abusey Junction' was the band’s well-acclaimed success that got appreciated by more than 25 million viewers on YouTube. This year was not less fruitful for KOKOROKO and brought the release of their debut album Could We Be More. Having presented the uplifting sounds of their release from Brazil to Amsterdam the band finishes the year by performing at the O2 Shepherds Bush Empire in London.
In the same manner, as their debut album, the show opens with ‘Tojo’. The substantial soul fanfare accompanied by the electronic sounds of the track immediately transports the crowd to outer space filled with the unique charm and positive spirit of KOKOROKO. People moving to the grooves of the talking drums and dreamy brass create unrushed waves of motion as the tracks evolve.
“We are very excited to be here, such an honor!” - the group leader Sheila confesses to the audience. And it’s not hard to believe that London takes a special place on the KOKOROKO’s roster as it's a hometown for most of the band members.
Listening to ‘Baba Ayoola' gives everybody a journey back in time to 2020. The fluidity and calmness that the group radiates from the stage give its playing an incredibly natural feel. After a couple of tunes and virtuosic instrumental improvisations the first notes of ‘Abusey Junction’ appear and the crowd explodes cheering to a well-known song. Unarguably being a backbone of tonight’s set the live performance of the track creates an almost magical atmosphere of ease in the crowd. By the time ‘War Dance’ is playing all the levels of O2 Shepherds Bush Empire transform into dancing stalls. Followed by ‘Ewà Inú’ and ‘Body and Soul’ the energy reaches its peak finishing the night with chant-like vocals of ‘We Give Thanks’.
During the night KOKOROKO soulfully reconnected with their fans through the soothing blends of afrobeat and jazz. The show once again reminded everybody that afrobeat is not something that should stay within our parents' generation and it seems like KOKOROKO will make sure it stays around.
Words by Anastasiia Vinokur
