Rhiannon Giddens

Rhiannon Giddens has built a singular and iconic career by stretching the boundaries of folk music – melding miles-deep historical roots with bold contemporary sensibilities. A two-time GRAMMY Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning singer, instrumentalist, and MacArthur “Genius” grant recipient, she moves effortlessly between genres and disciplines, composing for opera, ballet, and film while remaining grounded in the traditions that shaped her sound.

At the heart of Giddens’ work is a vital mission: to illuminate the overlooked and erased voices that have defined American musical history, and to challenge audiences to hear its origins with greater clarity and truth. As Pitchfork observed, “few artists are so fearless and so ravenous in their exploration” – a spirit that has earned her recognition from NPR as one of the 25 most influential women musicians of the 21st century, while American Songwriter hails her as “one of the most important musical minds currently walking the planet.”

Renowned for her captivating live performances, Giddens brings this deep scholarship and emotional power vividly to the stage, creating shows that are as moving as they are illuminating. Following a series of acclaimed performances, she returns to London for a special appearance at KOKO this December – an unmissable opportunity to experience one of today’s most compelling live artists in an intimate setting.