Press room

Adrianne Lenker 

with friends 

American indie-folk singer, songwriter and musician Adrianne Lenker makes her Barbican debut performance as she performs solo material from her forthcoming album and catalogue joined by friends and special guests.  

Lenker is best known as the lead vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter of Brooklyn-based indie folk band, Big Thief. Popularised through Lenker's powerful, emotive vocals, Big Thief’s unique sound combines elements of folk, lo-fi, alt-country, and indie rock.  

As a solo artist Lenker is a generational songwriter, performing at an unprecedented scale and continuing to surprise listeners. Lenker and friends will make a stop at the Barbican in April as part of a wider tour across the UK and Europe. Here, she unveils music from her new and highly anticipated solo album, to be released on 4AD in 2024.   

On sale dates: 

• Thu 7 Dec from 10am Bird on the Wire presale (SEE tickets) 
• Fri 8 Dec from 10am General on sale via Barbican website

Produced by the Barbican in association with Bird on the Wire 

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Lucinda Chua and Galya Bisengalieva with London Contemporary Orchestra 

In a double-bill at Milton Court Concert Hall, South London-based singer, songwriter, composer and multi-instrumentalist Lucinda Chua performs music from her debut album YIAN and her new EP Reclaiming The Rose and Kazakh composer, producer & violinist Galya Bisengalieva performs her latest album Polygon. Both artists will be joined on stage performing with the London Contemporary Orchestra. 

Lucinda Chua writes intimate and enchanting ambient pop songs primarily using her voice, cello and an array of effects units. Chua has toured with Stars of the Lid and FKA twigs. She released YIAN in 2023 on 4AD to widespread acclaim. 

Having shrugged off generic boundaries, Galya Bisengalieva is an artist who defies categorisation. The Kazakh composer, producer and violinist has earned a distinctive place in new music thanks to her originality and virtuosity. Galya released both her debut album Aralkum in 2020 and latest record Polygon in 2023 to critical acclaim on One Little Independent Records. 

Produced by the Barbican 

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Sona Jobarteh  

Highly-esteemed kora player and singer Sona Jobarteh performs her expansive and ambitious sophomore album Badinyaa Kumoo (African Guild Records, 2022) and, following two sold out concerts at Milton Court in 2021, now makes her Barbican Hall debut as part of an international tour. 

One of five principal kora playing families from West Africa, Jobarteh stands on the mighty shoulders of her West African Griot musical tradition and is a living archive of the Gambian people. Between her use of Western instrumentation, keeping one ear on her family’s historic reputation and one ear on the future (and her heart in both places), Jobarteh is preparing a place today for the next generation. 

Jobarteh’s latest album Badinyaa Kumoo (Words of Unity) blends traditional music with blues and Afropop. With a plethora of new compositions she explores the familial bond with her music and, through her performance, extends the invitation to audiences. inviting them in to reflect on the wider unity of humanity. 

Fronting her band as Africa’s first female griot kora virtuoso Jobarteh’s performance springs directly from tradition, with vocals performed in Mandinka alongside djembé and calabash. 

Praise for Sona Jobarteh:  

“Sona Jobarteh is Africa’s first female griot kora virtuoso, and also a fine singer and composer, blending traditional music, blues and Afropop to impressive effect” - The Guardian 

Produced by the Barbican 

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