GoGo Penguin Unveil 'Necessary Fictions' and Announce 2025–2026 Tour Dates

Manchester-based trio GoGo Penguin is set to release their seventh studio album, Necessary Fictions, on June 20, 2025, via XXIM/Sony. Known for their fusion of jazz, classical, and electronic elements, the band—comprising pianist Chris Illingworth, bassist Nick Blacka, and drummer Jon Scott—continues to evolve their sound. This album marks a significant development, incorporating modular synthesizers and collaborations with artists like the Manchester Collective and British-Ugandan musician Daudi Matsiko. 

The album's lead single, "What We Are and What We Are Meant To Be," showcases the band's genre-blending approach, featuring melodic simplicity and electronic textures. The accompanying video, directed by Illingworth and Blacka, pays homage to Manchester's iconic Toast Rack building, reflecting the band's deep connection to their hometown. 

Following the album release, GoGo Penguin will embark on an extensive tour across Europe and North America. The tour kicks off in Europe in June 2025, with performances at Jazz Middelheim in Antwerp and Jazz à la Défense in Puteaux. The North American leg begins in October 2025, featuring shows in cities like Boulder, Minneapolis, New York City, and Toronto. The band will return to the UK in December, with performances at London's Barbican Hall and Manchester's Albert Hall. Additional dates in France and Switzerland are scheduled for early 2026.

June 2025 – Europe

• June 9 – Jazz Middelheim, Antwerp, Belgium

• June 23 – La Défense Jazz Festival, Puteaux, France France

October 2025 – North America (East & Midwest)

• October 5 – Boulder Theater, Boulder, CO

• October 7 – Fine Line, Minneapolis, MN

• October 8 – SPACE, Evanston, IL

• October 10 – Ardmore Music Hall, Ardmore, PA

• October 11 – Le Poisson Rouge, New York, NY

• October 12 – The Birchmere, Alexandria, VA

• October 14 – Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theatre, Somerville, MA

October 2025 – Canada

• October 15 – MTELUS, Montreal, QC

• October 16 – Palais Montcalm, Québec City, QC

• October 17 – National Arts Centre Babs Asper Theatre, Ottawa, ON

• October 18 – Koerner Hall, Toronto, ON

November 2025 – Canada (West)

• November 12 – The Palace Theatre, Calgary, AB

• November 13 – Festival Place, Sherwood Park, AB

• November 14 – Vernon & District Performing Arts Centre, Vernon, BC

• November 15 – Centre In Vancouver For Performing Arts, Vancouver, BC

• November 17 – Royal Theatre, Victoria, BC

November 2025 – U.S. West Coast

• November 18 – The Neptune, Seattle, WA

• November 19 – Aladdin Theater, Portland, OR

• November 21 – The Fillmore, San Francisco, CA

• November 22 – El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles, CA

• November 23 – Belly Up, Solana Beach, CA

December 2025 – UK

• December 2 – Albert Hall, Manchester, UK

• December 3 – Barbican Centre, London, UK

February 2026 – Europe

• February 3 – Salle Pleyel, Paris, France