CYMANDE ANNOUNCE O2 ACADEMY BRIXTON HOMECOMING SHOW
November 18th, 2024 – Today, legendary British band Cymande announce their homecoming UK show at the iconic O2 Academy Brixton, on 17th October 2025. It’s their first headline show in London since their sold out performance at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire this past February. Tickets will go on sale to the general public this Friday. A special pre-sale will begin tomorrow morning as well.
The band recently made their musical return announcing their first studio album in many years, Renascence, set for release January 31st 2025 via BMG. (Pre-order Renascence here). Cymande recently made their UK television debut performance (52 years after the release of their debut album) performing their new single ‘Chasing An Empty Dream’ – on BBC Two’s Later…With Jools Holland, Watch here.
A true return to form and jewel in the crown of their iconic discography, Renascence picks up where their 1974 album Promised Heights left off – a spiritual and sonic follow-up, bringing a fresh modern edge to their iconic sound, which remains foundational to early hip-hop and funk scenes in the United States and UK. Renascence tells the story of a band that never fully got its due back in the day; but are back to take the crown by remaining true to themselves – politically aware, and spiritually positive with infectious grooves.
Renascence has everything both old fans and new would want from a Cymande album – spacious, haunting grooves that build over time, letting saxophones wail, drumbeats echo, and guitars trill – see “Coltrane,” “How We Roll (feat. Jazzie B) and “I Wanna Know.” Upbeat soulful dance breaks on “The Darkest Night” and “Carry The Word,” and soulful ballads like “Only One Way” (featuring Celeste) on lead vocals, and “Road To Zion” all coalesce into one of the most powerful comeback records, from a band with a lot to say. Produced by Ben Baptie, Cymande is led by its founding members Patrick Patterson (guitars, vocals) & Steve Scipio (bass, vocals). The band also comprises long time members, Keyboardist Adrian Reid and vocalist Raymond Simpson, with the full complement of players being Richard Bailey (Drums), Donald Gamble (Percussion), Denys Baptiste (Saxophone) Kevin Davy (Trumpet) and Toni Kofi (Saxophone).
Renascence will be available to stream, download, on CD and on black vinyl at all major retailers. A limited edition transparent coral vinyl edition will be made available on the band’s official online store and at select indie retail accounts.
Cymande have also been announced as a performer for the 2025’s Cross The Tracks Festival, London’s number one jazz, funk and soul music festival, taking place on 25th May 2025. In February the band will also embark on a U.S. headline tour, hitting major markets like New York and Los Angeles in February 2025 – full dates and info below. Tickets available here.
Cymande Tour Dates
FEB 13 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza
FEB 14 – Philadelphia, PA – Ardmore Music Hall
FEB 15 – Washington DC – Howard Theatre
FEB 18 – Chicago, IL – Metro
FEB 19 – Minneapolis, MN – Varsity Theatre
FEB 21 – Denver, CO – Bluebird
FEB 22 – Seattle, WA – Crocodile
FEB 23 – Portland, OR – Aladdin Theater
FEB 26 – San Francisco, CA – August Hall*
FEB 28 – Los Angeles, CA – The Bellwether
MAY 25 – London, UK – Cross The Tracks Festival
OCT 17 – London, UK – O2 Academy Brixton