Five-time Grammy Award winner and global powerhouse Angélique Kidjo is set to grace the stage at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) on March 4, 2024, as part of her national tour in collaboration with the Adelaide Festival.
Kidjo, known for her commanding stage presence and powerful voice, will celebrate her illustrious 40-year career, blending West African traditions with elements of R&B, funk, modal jazz, and global influences. Hailing from Benin and now residing in New York City and Paris, Kidjo’s music is a vibrant fusion reflecting her diverse influences.
Supporting Kidjo across various Australian cities, including Brisbane, is Maatakitj, the affectionate stage name of Clint Bracknell, a Noongar musician and Professor of Music at the University of Western Australia.
Her latest album, “Mother Nature,” addresses racial inequity and the climate crisis, weaving personal and political aspects into optimistic and inspiring music. Collaborations with artists worldwide draw from historical and current events, showcasing Kidjo’s unique ability to merge music and activism.
Recognized as one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people and The Guardian’s Top 100 Inspiring Women, Kidjo is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and recipient of the prestigious 2023 Polar Music Prize. Beyond her musical achievements, she founded Batonga in 2006, a foundation supporting the education of young girls in Africa.
Expressing her excitement about the upcoming tour, Kidjo stated, “Both Australia and New Zealand hold very fond places in my heart, and I can’t wait to come back in 2024, which will also include my first performance in Auckland. It is great to be celebrating 40 years of performing on a continent which was one of the first to embrace my career!”
Tickets for Angélique Kidjo’s Brisbane show are available now on QPAC’s website. Don’t miss the chance to witness the undisputed queen of African music live on stage.
