Celebrating its fifth year, the Roundhouse presents In the Round, a series of shows devoted to intimate performances set in the venue’s iconic main space, staged in a rarely seen, fully-seated concert set up around an almost circular stage.

Since its inception in 2016,In the Round has become known for its bold and adventurous programming. An eclectic mix of genre-spanning artists present a series of special shows that include unique one-offs, exclusive premieres, solo sets and storytelling, making it a key fixture of the musical calendar and an exciting start to the year.

The Roundhouse is pleased to announce the first wave of acts for In the Round 2020.

Friday 24 January Jorge Drexler

Saturday 25 January Badly Drawn Boy

Tuesday 28 January KOKOROKO

Thursday 30 January Fatoumata Diawara

Friday 31 January Anaïs Mitchell

Friday 01 February Beverley Knight

More acts to be announced soon

As part of the Roundhouse’s commitment to developing emerging talent, young artists who use the Paul Hamlyn Roundhouse Studios will perform as support acts for each headline artist.

Tickets on sale Friday 27 September from roundhouse.org.uk

Friday 24 January
JORGE DREXLER + support

Critically acclaimed singer songwriter Jorge Drexler is a man of many talents. Born and raised in Uruguay, he studied medicine and worked as an ear, nose and throat specialist before throwing in the towel to follow his dream of being a musician. With 13 albums, 5 Latin Grammys and 1 Academy Award, it seems the medical profession’s loss was the music world’s gain. His recording career began in the early 90s, but mainstream success came with his seventh album,Eco, and its 2005 Oscar-winning song Al Otro lado del río (The Other Side of the River),which featured in the 2005 Ché Guevara biopic The Motorcycle Diaries. The first Spanish-language song in the Academy’s history to win Best Original Song, it introduced Drexler to a far wider audience outside the Spanish-speaking world. His talents also extend to writing a ballet,Tres Hologramas, which premiered at the National Ballet Uruguay as well as acting in Daniel Burman’s filmLa suerte en tus manos.

For his appearance at In the Round– his only UK appearance – Drexler will perform his new mesmerizing solo show,Silente. Highly visual with mise-en-scène, this promises to be a rare treat for diehard and new fans alike.

“...an eminence across the Latin diaspora, his songs much covered and graced with awards.” - The Observer

Doors 7pm / Ticket Prices from £20



Saturday 25 January
BADLY DRAWN BOY + support

It’s almost 20 years since the release of Badly Drawn Boy’sThe Hour Of Bewilderbeast – an album the Guardian has called a “lo-fi-masterpiece”. The debut album earned Badly Drawn Boy – aka, Damon Gough –the Mercury Prize for Best Album, although his recording career began before that with an EP and several singles on Twisted Nerve, the indie label he set up with DJ Andy Votel. After the success of Bewilderbeast, he went on to write the soundtrack to the film of Nick Hornby’s book About a Boy, starring Hugh Grant , followed byHave You Fed The Fish?in 2002 which spawned his first Top Ten hitYou Were Right.His prolific output continued with five more albums, including another soundtrack for the filmBeing Flynn, interspersed with stints in the States and heavy touring schedules. With an intuitive ear for melody and a ferociously creative mind, Gough and his music have been loved by fans and critics for over twenty years.
In what will be his first London show for five years, Badly Drawn Boy will be performing music from his back-catalogue alongside brand new material.

“A colossal talent” - The Guardian

Doors 7pm / Ticket Prices from £20

Tuesday 28 January
KOKOROKO + support

Blistering horns, potent energy, and a victorious spirit are what define the sound of KOKOROKO, the London based, all-star, Afrobeat band, whose 2018 seven-minute, mostly instrumental track, Abusey Junction has, to date, notched up an astonishing 32 million plays on YouTube. The track’s hypnotic, meditative vibe, underscores the band’s musical influences; a blend of West African rhythms, highlife and jazz. Adding grit to their groove, their sound is nonetheless, shaped by London. Channelling the greats of West Africa – Fela Kuti, Ebo Taylor, Tony Allen - through a jazz-rooted approach, KOKOROKO (whose name means 'be strong' in Orobo) released their self-titled debut EP in March 2019 earning a raft of glowing reviews and an invitation from Nile Rodgers to perform at his 2019 Meltdown at London’s Southbank Centre. Powered by a seismic horn section led by trumpeter, Sheila Maurice-Grey, spiritual compositions, opiating guitar lines, soft percussion and languid vocals create a collective energy that is both tender and forceful.

For In the Round, KOKOROKO perform music from their debut EP and showcase brand new material set for release in autumn 2020. Expect an enthralling set and be prepared to dance.

“…a vital example of not only jazz’s new form but the shape of things to come for British music” - The Guardian

Doors 7pm / Ticket Prices from £20

Thursday 30 January
FATOUMATA DIAWARA + support

Since the release of her debut album, Fatou (2011), Malian musician, actor and social activist Fatoumata Diawara (known as Fatou) has been hailed as one of Africa’s most trailblazing and outspoken voices. She has worked with some of the biggest names in contemporary music; she’s recorded with Bobby Womack and Herbie Hancock, played Glastonbury, toured with the Cuban pianist Roberto Fonseca and climbed aboard Damon Albarn’s star-studded Africa Express, which culminated in her sharing a stage with Sir Paul McCartney. She has also maintained a parallel career as an actor including an acclaimed appearance in 2014’s Timbuktu, which received both BAFTA and Academy Award nominations. Her most recent album, Fenfois boldly experimental yet respectful of her Malian roots; modern electric guitar lines combine with the ancient African strings of the kora and kamel ngoni, while kit drums combine with the timeless rhythms of traditional percussion.

For her In the Round show, Fatou will be performing material from the critically acclaimed album, Fenfo, with a full band.

“One of the finest, most inventive female singers in Mali...a classy affair that demonstrates her impressive musical range.” - The Guardian

Doors 7pm / Ticket Prices from £20



Friday 31 January
ANAÏS MITCHELL
plus support BONNY LIGHT HORSEMAN

In 2010, Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell released the album Hadestown, a folk opera based on the Greek myth of Orpheus. The response was extraordinary. Five star reviews across the board marked it an unmitigated triumph heralding the arrival of a vital new voice and a formidable songwriting talent. Originally conceived as a community theatre project in rural Vermont, Mitchell continued developing it as a musical. Today, Hadestownis a Broadway hit and winner of eight Tony Awards including Best Musical. Yet Hadestownis just one release from Mitchell’s six-album catalogue. Each, including the highly acclaimedYoung Man in America, and Child Ballads for which she won a BBC Radio 2 Folk Award, draws from the tradition of folk, yet with thoroughly modern execution. Mitchell comes from the world of narrative folksong, poetry and balladry; her distinctive, fragile voice is beguiling, her melodies seductive and song craft immaculate, tackling universal themes with emotional intimacy.

Anaïs Mitchell is a compelling live performer most usually seen in the UK, solo or duo. Her In the Round appearance offers UK audiences a rare chance to see her music that spans the breadth of her catalogue, including some new material, together with a band.

Mitchell also appears in her latest project, Bonny Light Horseman, who will open the show. Dubbed a ‘folk supergroup’ by Rolling Stone Magazine, she appears with multi-instrumentalist Josh Kaufman (The National, Hiss Golden Messenger) and Eric D. Johnson (Fruit Bats).

“The most engaging, and in some ways, most original artist working in the field of new American folk music” - The Independent

Doors 7pm / Ticket Prices from £22.50

Friday 01 February
BEVERLEY KNIGHT + support

Widely regarded as one of Britain's greatest soul singers, Beverley Knight has, over the past 25 years, notched up an incredible career as a recording artist, musical theatre star, radio presenter and a stunning live performer. Since bursting onto the scene with her 1995 debut album,The B-Funk, she has scored several Top 10 albums racking up over a million sales, won three MOBO Awards, has been nominated for the prestigious Mercury Music Prize, three nominations for Best Female at the Brits and picked up an MBE along the way. Revered for her sheer vocal excellence, Knight sings with an extraordinary passion and intensity. Her staggeringly powerful soul voice, bewildering vocal stamina and exuberant live performances have won her a legion of fans. She has sung for the Queen, with Quincy Jones at his 75th Birthday concert (where Quincy himself gave her a standing ovation), with Prince, Chaka Khan, Take That, Andrea Bocelli and many more.

Beverley Knight performsIn the Round celebrating the release of her new live album,BK25: Beverley Knight with The Leo Green Orchestra at The Royal Festival Hall, (released November 2019) that marks her 25 years in the business. Expect highlights from her career that include hit songs Shoulda Woulda Coulda and Come as You Are, as well as classic covers, and brand new material.

“Powering through hit after hit with force, control and vocal acrobatics .... she is nothing short of astounding to watch” The Telegraph

Doors 7pm / Ticket Prices from £35

About the Roundhouse

The Roundhouse is one of the most incredible live performance spaces in the world where the biggest names in music, theatre, circus and spoken word take to the stage every day. A former railway engine repair shed, the Grade II* listed building was transformed into a groundbreaking performing arts venue 50 years ago, and has welcomed legendary artists from all over the world to perform in its unique spaces.

The Roundhouse is also a hub of inspiration where artists and emerging talent create extraordinary work and where young people can grow creatively as individuals. The Roundhouse believes in the power of creativity to change lives. By giving young, people the chance to engage with the arts through music, media and performance projects, they are inspired to reach further, dream bigger, and achieve more.

About In the Round

In the Round is an annual series of intimate performances at the Roundhouse that sees the venue transformed with a fully-seated concert set up - a unique opportunity to see some of the world’s leading artists perform up close within the venue’s iconic architecture. Beginning in 2016, previous performers have included John Cale, Julian Cope, Rokia Traoré, Gaz Coombes, Marianne Faithfull, Jaga Jazzist, Martha Wainwright, Ghetts, Lambchop, Tiger Lillies, Matthew E White, Mulatu Astatke, Beth Orton, Nadine Shah, GoGo Penguin, Oumou Sangaré, Patti Smith, Shirley Collins, Ana Moura, Fatima, Ronnie Spector, This is the Kit and more.

Roundhouse presents In the Round

23 January – 1 February 2020 Roundhouse

Chalk Farm Road, London, NW1 8EH

Tickets on sale Friday 27 September

roundhouse.org.uk

Access bookings: 0300 6789 222 Booking fees apply – see website for full details