St. George’s Hall in Bradford will be filled with rhythm, colour, and celebration on Sunday 7 September 2025 at 15:00, as Angélique Kidjo, five-time Grammy Award-winner and global ambassador for African music, takes centre stage for a very special BBC Proms concert. As part of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, the performance offers a rare opportunity to see one of Africa’s greatest living performers live, with tickets starting from just £12, in keeping with the Proms’ commitment to accessible, world-class music.
Photo: Gus Philippas, Flickr
Honouring African Music Legends
Kidjo will pay tribute to legendary African artists, including Miriam Makeba, Fela Kuti, Hugh Masekela, and Youssou N’Dour—reimagining their iconic songs with the backing of the BBC orchestra. Known for her genre-defying style, Kidjo brings new life to their legacies, fusing rich African rhythms with powerful orchestral arrangements.
More about the ‘Queen of Africa’
Born in Ouidah, Benin, Kidjo began singing as a child, inspired by artists from Aretha Franklin to Miriam Makeba. She left Benin in 1983 to escape censorship and build her musical career in Paris. Since then, she’s worked with Bono, Alicia Keys, Peter Gabriel, David Byrne, and more—never compromising her creative voice.
Kidjo is a fearless cultural force: the first Black African to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, and founder of the Batonga Foundation supporting girls’ education in Africa. Whether reviving salsa classics or reinterpreting Talking Heads’ ‘Remain in Light’, Kidjo continues to reshape global music and open doors for future generations. She rose to international fame with her vibrant fusion of Afropop, Afrobeat, Jazz, Funk, and traditional West African rhythms and fans simply can’t afford to miss this!