First acts announced for Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide Awards
- Text by Alex King
After the christmas and new year blow-out, January’s Worldwide Awards at KOKO always provide a dependable musical palate-cleanser to get you ready for the year to come.
Like Peterson himself, the event effortlessly looks forwards and backwards – celebrating the (late) greats and scouting out the most cutting-edge emerging at the same time.
The first acts announced are North London’s young hip hop wordsmith Little Simz, New Orleans’ bassy Mardi Gras outfit 79rs Gang and Henry Wu’s high-energy live trio “Yussef Kamaal”.
But stay tuned because there’ll be more solid headliners announced and likely a few surprises on the night.
Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide Awards 2016 hits KOKO, London on Saturday January 16.
You might like
In photos: The newsagents keeping print alive
Save the stands — With Huck 83 hitting shelves around the world, we met a few people who continue to stock print magazines, defying an enduringly tough climate for physical media and the high street.
Written by: Ella Glossop
The last days of St Agnes Place, London’s longest ever running squat
Off the grid — Photographer Janine Wiedel spent four years documenting the people of the Kennington squat, who for decades made a forgotten row of terraced houses a home.
Written by: Isaac Muk
In west London, Subbuteo is alive and flicking
London Subbuteo Club — The tabletop football game sees players imitate vintage teams with tactics and tiny painted replica kits. Ryan Loftus takes a trip to Fulham to meet a dedicated community and witness a titanic Brazil vs Coventry City showdown.
Written by: Ryan Loftus
What we’re excited for at SXSW 2026
Austin 40 — For the festival’s 40th anniversary edition, we are heading to Texas to join one of the biggest global meetups of the year. We’ve selected a few things to highlight on your schedules.
Written by: Huck
Activists hack London billboards to call out big tech harm
Tax Big Tech: With UK youth mental health services under strain, guerrilla billboards across the capital accuse social media companies of profiting from a growing crisis.
Written by: Ella Glossop
Wu-Tang Clan forever, and ever
The Final Chamber — RZA, the spiritual leader of one of the most important hip hop groups of all time explains why they won’t rest until their legacy is secured.
Written by: Yoh Phillips
