Following a sold-out show at Soup in 2026 and months of airplay for their standout single ‘Miami’, Margate five-piece Pigeon arrive at YES this January with their distinctive blend of Afro-disco, post-punk energy, synth-pop, jazz and no-wave experimentation.
Formed from an impromptu post-pub jam session, Pigeon bring together an impressive cast of musicians: Guinean vocalist and lyricist Falle Nioke, drummer Graham Godfrey (SAULT, Michael Kiwanuka), keyboardist Steve Pringle (Michael Kiwanuka), guitarist and filmmaker Tom Dream, and producer/bassist Josh Ludlow.
Since the release of their debut EP Yagana and follow-up Backslider, the band have built a reputation for exhilarating live performances and a sound that balances groove, spontaneity and adventurous songwriting. While Afro-disco remains at the heart of their music, Pigeon draw equally from grunge, electronic music, jazz, no-wave and synth-pop, creating songs that feel both celebratory and unpredictable.
The band’s DIY spirit remains central to their approach, even as they have attracted support from influential champions including Gilles Peterson, Elton John, Iggy Pop, NPR, Bandcamp and BBC 6 Music. Led by the commanding presence of Falle Nioke, whose multilingual vocals bring together influences from West Africa and beyond, Pigeon have become one of the UK’s most exciting and hard-to-categorise live acts.
