Habib Koité and Sura Susso - Manding Melody

Habib Koité and Sura Susso play Turner Sims on Saturday 24 October, as part of the Manding Melody UK tour. Koité is a Malian guitarist and Susso a Gambian kora player, both West African music legends. They've been playing together since 2016, when they first crossed paths during Koité's debut UK tour, and the partnership has grown from there.

Susso's latest album, Londi, came out on 9 October, with the title track released as a single on 14 August. Both the record and the song celebrate the griot tradition — the West African practice of passing down knowledge and wisdom through stories, music and performance. The tour blends traditional and contemporary Manding culture, and the live sound brings together kora, balafon, percussion, bass and vocals.

The Southampton date is one of nine on the Manding Melody autumn 2026 UK tour, promoted by Campaign African Night Fever. The tour also visits Reading, Bristol, Liverpool, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Shoreham, Chichester and London.

Turner Sims is a purpose-built concert hall at the University of Southampton, open since 1974 and focused on live music. The gig is on Saturday 24 October.