Features: Giglist's Gig Of The Week - Black Pumas @ Islington Assembly Hall
The duo from Austin, Texas intend to bring soul back to the fore
Posted: 5 February 2020
Words: Tom Curtis-Horsfall
Each week we're putting focus on one upcoming gig we're psyched for, and this week it's Grammy Nominated soul duo Black Pumas.
Friday's show at Islington Assembly Hall sold out some time ago, but their stock has risen still; whilst not exactly a meteoric rise to stardom per se, the psych-soul duo have gone from virtual unknown's during the latter part of last year to one of Spotify's artists of 2020, an appearance on Ellen DeGeneres' daytime show, a sold out European tour which unfolds this month, and to cap it off a Grammy Award nomination for Best New Artist.
2019's eponymous debut album drew influence from the countercultural-tinged soul and funk music prevalent in the late 60's, with waves of psychedelia and a pinch of Latin flavour apparent in their lush production. Whilst their name resembles radical political group 'Black Panthers' who were symbolic of the era, frontman Eric Burdon and guitarist Adrian Quesada don't intend to make a similar statement. It's wholly universal, trippy, passionate soul music, born of a genuine affection for the genre and it's heritage, and whilst their inspiration is evident they are in no way a pastiche.
In light of their snowballing acclaim, they've announced a return to European shores later this year with a show at London's Roundhouse among the run of dates in November.
And their live shows are reputably electric, let's say; we'll be at Friday's gig, so stay tuned for the review.
To listen to Black Pumas' self-titled debut, click here. See their UK dates for later this year below:
Saturday 7th November - The Garage, Glasgow
Sunday 8th November - O2 Institute, Birmingham
Tuesday 10th November - Albert Hall, Manchester
Wednesday 11th November - Roundhouse, London
Friday's show at Islington Assembly Hall sold out some time ago, but their stock has risen still; whilst not exactly a meteoric rise to stardom per se, the psych-soul duo have gone from virtual unknown's during the latter part of last year to one of Spotify's artists of 2020, an appearance on Ellen DeGeneres' daytime show, a sold out European tour which unfolds this month, and to cap it off a Grammy Award nomination for Best New Artist.
2019's eponymous debut album drew influence from the countercultural-tinged soul and funk music prevalent in the late 60's, with waves of psychedelia and a pinch of Latin flavour apparent in their lush production. Whilst their name resembles radical political group 'Black Panthers' who were symbolic of the era, frontman Eric Burdon and guitarist Adrian Quesada don't intend to make a similar statement. It's wholly universal, trippy, passionate soul music, born of a genuine affection for the genre and it's heritage, and whilst their inspiration is evident they are in no way a pastiche.
In light of their snowballing acclaim, they've announced a return to European shores later this year with a show at London's Roundhouse among the run of dates in November.
And their live shows are reputably electric, let's say; we'll be at Friday's gig, so stay tuned for the review.
To listen to Black Pumas' self-titled debut, click here. See their UK dates for later this year below:
Saturday 7th November - The Garage, Glasgow
Sunday 8th November - O2 Institute, Birmingham
Tuesday 10th November - Albert Hall, Manchester
Wednesday 11th November - Roundhouse, London