Songlines Encounters at Kings Place Reveals Second Wave of Artists for 15th Anniversary 2026 Series

Kings Place has unveiled the second wave of artists for the 15th anniversary edition of Songlines Encounters, with Malian guitarist Samba Touré, Belarusian-Polish band Hajda Banda, Irish fiddle master Martin Hayes and cellist Kate Ellis, Japanese big-band Minyo Crusaders, and Suntou Susso and the Gambian Superstars all added to the line-up.

Songlines have been partnering with the Kings Place Music Foundation since 2011 to bring outstanding music from across the globe to Kings Place as part of Songlines Encounters. This year marks the first time that the event, a vital space in London for international artists to be heard, will take place across the entire year.

Samba Touré will bring his hypnotic desert grooves to the festival, drawing on the legacy of Ali Farka Touré and other pioneering Malian musicians. Armed with acoustic instruments, Hajda Banda will present a 'Polish-Belarusian Party' rooted in the rural traditions of Podlasie, Polesye and the borderlands between Poland, Ukraine and Belarus. Martin Hayes and Kate Ellis will converge for a meeting of Irish tradition and contemporary classical exploration, while Minyo Crusaders will reimagine centuries-old Japanese folk songs through Latin, African and Caribbean rhythms. Finally, kora master Suntou Susso will perform with the Gambian Superstars for their UK debut, channelling 700 years of Mandinka griot heritage into a joyful fusion with funk and jazz.

They join the previously announced Muco, Bassekou Kouyaté and Amy Sacko, Mostar Sevdah Reunion, Cocanha and Miqayel Voskanyan, with the full programme covering music from Armenia, Belarus, Burundi, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ireland, the Gambia, Japan, Mali, Occitania and Poland.

Simon Broughton, founding editor of Songlines, said: “We're thrilled to be celebrating the 15th anniversary of Songlines Encounters and to be expanding into an extended series across the year, giving audiences more opportunities to experience a range of incredible music.”

Tickets are on sale now via the Kings Place website.

Songlines Encounters 2026 – Full Line-Up

Muco – Thu 30 April, Hall Two, 8pm

The British-Burundian singer presents Book of Voices, a project pairing reimagined Middle and Old English folk songs with the music of the inanga, drawing on his dual heritage.

Bassekou Kouyaté & Amy Sacko – Thu 7 May, Hall One, 7.30pm

The Malian ngoni master tours the UK as a duo with his wife, celebrated griot singer Amy Sacko, for the first time in an intimate acoustic evening.

Mostar Sevdah Reunion – Fri 15 May, Hall One, 7.30pm

One of the most important groups in the Bosnian sevdah revival of the last 25 years, Mostar Sevdah Reunion bring the deeply emotional sound of a genre often dubbed ‘the Balkan blues’.

Cocanha – Fri 29 May, Hall Two, 8pm

Caroline Dufau and Lila Fraysse perform Occitan polyphonic singing and dance rhythms from the south of France, accompanied by inventive percussion including traditional Pyrenean string drums.

Miqayel Voskanyan – Sat 13 June, Hall Two, 8pm

The Armenian tar player makes his UK premiere with a jazz-influenced modern take on Armenian folk music, performing original compositions alongside works by Komitas and Sayat-Nova.

Suntou Susso and the Gambian Superstars – Sun 14 June, Hall One, 3pm

Kora master Suntou Susso leads his all-Gambian ensemble, joined by saxophonist Tomoya Forster, for the group’s debut UK show fusing Mandinka griot tradition with funk and jazz.

Samba Touré – Sun 27 September, Hall One, 8pm

The Malian guitarist channels the legacy of Ali Farka Touré with relentless grooves and a show-stealing voice that captures the spirit of Northern Mali, blending tradition and innovation.

Hajda Banda – Thu 8 October, Hall Two, 8pm

Expect a 'Polish-Belarusian Party' on acoustic instruments, drawing on the rural music of the Podlasie, Polesye and Belarusian borderlands.

Martin Hayes & Kate Ellis – Thu 26 November, Hall One, 8pm

The renowned Irish fiddler joins one of contemporary music's leading cellists for a meeting of Irish tradition and modern classical exploration.

Minyo Crusaders – Fri 27 November, Hall One, 7.30pm

The Japanese big band reworks historic min'yō folk songs – originally sung by fishermen, coal miners and sumo wrestlers – through Latin, African, Caribbean and Asian rhythms.