GoGo Penguin
Queen’s Hall, 18/5/2026
GoGo Penguin
GoGo Penguin are a Manchester-based experimental jazz trio of Chris Illingworth, piano, Nick Blacka, bass, and Jon Scott, drums, with sound production by Joe Reiser. They began their 2026 tour in Edinburgh on 18th May and continue on to China, Japan, London and France. They have been playing and recording together since 2012 and have produced seven albums to date. Their signature sound incorporates jazz, rock, classical and electronica in seductive keyboard improvisations over driving ostinato polyrhythms. Rather than the keyboard dominating, the three players share the musical line equally, creating a nuanced and coherent whole. Their name, inspired by a papier-mâché penguin in their rehearsal room, was a spur of the moment choice shortly before a gig.
I first became aware of the group in 2020 when their fifth album, GoGo Penguin, was showcased on BBC Radio 3. Their sound on this album brought to my mind the music of Philip Glass with its repetitive rhythmic patterns, which gradually build and change hypnotically throughout each piece. For their most recent album, Necessary Fictions, they were in conversation with Wonderland Magazine about exploring their identity and ‘shaking off perceptions people might have’ from their earlier recordings. This seems to suggest that not all their fans might like the new sound. They are building an international fan base with an extensive tour in 2025 to Japan and the USA. In the Edinburgh concert, I sat next to a dedicated fan from Phoenix, Arizona, who had followed their 2025 tour through Portland, Oregon, and Paris, France.
One new departure on the latest album was to incorporate a vocal line in Forgive the Damages with their long-term friend Daudi Matsiko, who opened the Queen’s Hall concert. He chose some rather downbeat songs, channelling his experience of a psychotic episode, a nightmare and depression. His voice was clear and soft, combining well with the trio in the recorded version, available online at Wonderland Magazine. The intimate space of the Queen’s Hall was possibly not the optimal venue for their new sound, which seems to be heading away from Philip Glass and towards a heavy metal vibe. Nevertheless, it’s well worth seeking out recordings for this innovative trio.