Few bands carry the weight of a continent’s dancefloor history quite like Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou. On Thursday 14 August, the legendary Beninese collective brings their unmistakable sound to London for A Night of Afro Funk, a rare chance to catch a group whose catalogue shaped the musical identity of post-independence West Africa.

Formed in 1968 in Benin’s capital during the first wave of post-independence optimism, the group gave voice to a new era. They translated the spirit of a changing nation into rhythm, bringing together Yoruba ceremonial rhythms, trance-inducing Vodoun percussion, raw funk guitar, Afro-Latin syncopation, and electric organ psychedelia. to forge a sound entirely their own.

Their recordings defined the sound of urban Benin across the 1970s. At a time when studios were scarce and political conditions unstable, Poly‑Rythmo created one of the most prolific discographies on the continent, releasing hundreds of tracks across local labels and pressing plants in Cotonou, Lagos and Accra. Their music travelled by vinyl, radio and word of mouth, fuelling dance floors and block parties from Porto Novo to Lagos, Lomé and Abidjan.

Crucially, they bridged tradition and experimentation without compromise. Their sound sits in direct lineage with Fela Kuti, Manu Dibango and Bembeya Jazz, not as imitators, but as innovators with a distinctly Beninese identity rooted in Vodoun rhythm and local language.

Now led by founding members Vincent Ahéhéhinnou, Gustave Bentho and Pierre Loko, alongside a powerful younger lineup, the group’s live set remains driven by deep rhythm and collective spirit. Expect long-form grooves, call-and-response vocals, and the full force of a band steeped in both ancestral knowledge and electric funk.

Their recent release, Benin Avec Zoundegnon Bernard ‘Papillon’, revisits one of the band’s classic line-ups, bringing unreleased material into the present day with clarity and drive. It’s a reminder of just how deep their archive runs, and how contemporary their sound remains.

Joining the line-up is Nik Weston, founder of Mukatsuku Records and a long-time purveyor of global rare groove. His crate-digging sets bridge Afro-funk, disco, and deep jazz, setting the tone for a high-stakes night of rhythm and resistance.

Whether you’re a long-time collector or new to Benin’s rich musical legacy, this night offers direct contact with one of Africa’s most uncompromising and meaningful dance ensembles.

Grab your tickets HERE
and witness a living chapter of Beninese music history!