London’s KOKO announces Skepta, Batu, Josey Rebelle and more for first birthday weekender

North London venue KOKO has announced plans for its first birthday weekender, which will celebrate one year since reopening, following its closure for restoration work in 2019 and a setback from fire damage in 2020.

Taking place on the weekend of Friday April 28 until Sunday April 30, the Camden institution has announced three separate events on each night, with the likes of Skepta, Batu and Josey Rebelle announced to play.

On Friday, Rhythm Section will take over the venue’s Theatre room, where co-founder Bradley Zero, Josey Rebelle and Timedance’s Batu will perform. In Café KOKO there will be an African New Wave showcase, where Guiltybeatz and DJ Simz will perform DJ sets, with live acts to be announced in the nest future.

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The Saturday night will see Amsterdam tech-house duo ANOTR bring their No Art party concept to the party, which will feature art performances alongside the music. Special guests for the party will be revealed on the night.

Sunday April 30 sees Skepta launching Más Tiempo – his own house music record label. For the party he has invited Jammer, Benji B and Maximum to play alongside him, with more names still to be announced.

There will also be a separate party at The House of KOKO, the venue’s members club, where across its expansive five floors of space, there will be sets from DJ sets from the likes of Crazy P, Foals and a live set from Stavroz. It will only be accessible to House of KOKO members.

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KOKO reopened in April last year (2022), after a fire in January 2020 ravaged the venue, completely destroying its historic domed roof. It first opened in 1900, with the likes of Madonna and Prince having graced its stage in the past, having been previously named the Camden Palace and Camden Hippodrome.

Since reopening, the likes of Central Cee, Kerri Chandler, Knucks, Stormzy, Little Simz and Burna Boy have all made appearances.

Tickets are on sale now, click here to purchase.

Isaac Muk is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow him on Twitter