London’s KOKO to reopen in April after three years closed
Jorja Smith, Pete Doherty, Lianne La Havas and more will all play a series of reopening parties across the spring and summer
London’s historic KOKO has announced that it will reopen in April this year after being closed for three years due to refurbishment and fire damage.
The Camden venue was initially shut in 2019 for a year-long refurbishment, which was then pushed back after a fire broke out in the venue in 2020. Subsequent water damage then delayed the reopening even more.
KOKO have now announced that, after a £70m restoration and redevelopment programme, it will reopen on April 30 this year, also announcing a host of reopening parties including shows by Jorja Smith, Pete Doherty and Lianne La Havas.
Included in the new KOKO will be a ‘venue within a venue’ called Fly Tower, a 200-cap room housed in a 50ft tall shaft which will see the performance experience shifted, with artists on the floor and fans on the stage.
Elsewhere, a new Cafe KOKO will open alongside a shop and DJ space, while livestream capabilities are now permanently installed throughout the venue, meaning that any artist playing has the option to livestream their show globally.
A new clubnight called KOKO Electronic is also set to launch, with Jayda G, Todd Terje and more already signed up for early editions.
“KOKO is an iconic venue and I am so excited to play there,” Jorja Smith said in a statement. “The new design and spaces are stunning.”
Lianne La Havas added: “KOKO has been truly missed. It’s one of my favourite London venues and many of my favourite artists have played there. Having always wanted to do my own show at KOKO, I’m excited that I now have the opportunity to do that”.
Speaking of the opening, KOKO’s founder and CEO Olly Bengough said: “It’s been a seven-year journey to bring this project to life and now, on the cusp of opening, I’m so happy to be paying homage to the cultural legacy of the building with a diverse mix of artists and contributing to arts and culture at a time when British live music needs it most.”
See the full schedule for KOKO’s first few months after its reopening below. All tickets and further details can be found here.
APRIL 2022
30 – KOKO Electronic: Luciano
MAY 2022
5 – Weval
9 – Lianne La Havas – SOLD OUT
10 – Lianne La Havas – SOLD OUT
11 – Lianne La Havas – SOLD OUT
6 – Parra for Cuva
6 – KOKO Electronic: 2ManyDJs, Breakbot & Irfane
7 – KOKO Electronic: Jayda G, Jamie 3:26, Jaguar, Ruby Savage
8 – Portico Quartet
13 – Peter Doherty
13 – KOKO Electronic: Special Guest TBA, Optimo, India Jordan, Ceri
14 – Gilles Peterson Presents: Worldwide Awards
15 – Mulatu Astatke
18 – Zak Abel
19 – Honey Dijon
20 – DJ Seinfeld – SOLD OUT
20 – KOKO Electronic: Eats Everything, Very Special Guest, Ewan McVicor, Syreeta
21 – KOKO Electronic: 10 Year Of Hot Since 82 – Hot Since 82 Originals Only Set
22 – Vance Joy – SOLD OUT
23 – Kim Gordon
25 – Knucks – SOLD OUT
26 – Jorja Smith and FAMM
27 – Hania Rani
27 – KOKO Electronic: Steel City Showcase – Mall Grab, Kettama, Chloe Robinson
28 – KOKO Electronic: Kerri Chandler, CC:Disco!, Helena Star
31 – Amaarae
JUNE 2022
4 – KOKO Electronic: Skream (Open To Close)
10 – KOKO Electronic: Very Special Guest, Batu, Crystalmess
14 – Remi Wolf
16 – Omar Apollo
17 – TEMS – SOLD OUT
22 – TEMS – SOLD OUT
JULY 2022
2 – KOKO Electronic: Todd Terje, Young Marco, Lone (Live), Vale Budino
3 – The Beat
20 – Yola
29 – KOKO Electronic: Moses Boyd DJ B2B DJ LAG, Novelist, Scratcha DVA (Amapiano Set),
Charisse C
AUGUST 2022
30 – Tank and the Bangas
SEPTEMBER 2022
16 – Mono
NOVEMBER 2022
3 – GoGo Penguin
11 – Stone Foundation
15 – Anais Mitchell
16 – Bob Moses