New Zealand duo celebrates its solo era with a sold-out night at KOKO in London after standout shows across South America and major festivals
After a series of memorable shows in South America, where the New Zealand duo Balu Brigada opened for Twenty One Pilots in 2025 and performed at Lollapalooza Brazil, Argentina, and Chile in March 2026, the band is now continuing their solo journey as the headliner of the Portal Tour.
London was treated to an unforgettable night of this headline tour, which was originally set to take place at Village Underground. Due to overwhelming demand, the performance was moved to the renowned KOKO, known for its exceptional acoustics and its ability to provide an intimate experience even for large crowds. The venue has hosted unforgettable performances by renowned artists such as Amy Winehouse, Oasis, Prince, and many others.
Opened in 1900 as a theatre, KOKO has a rich and fascinating history. Over the years, the venue has undergone various transformations, yet it has always retained its essence as both a theatre and a music venue.
The show featured an opening set by ryeberry, the house music project created by German artist Michel Ryeson, who is certainly one to watch. He showed a special affection for Brazil during his set, incorporating several Brazilian funk tracks.
Balu Brigada has been winning over fans around the world. The success of their recent album Portal is undeniable. With impactful songs such as ‘So Cold’. ‘Backseat’, and the iconic ‘What Do We Ever Really Know?’, the duo has demonstrated a blend of indie rock and alternative pop that resonates strongly in their live performances.
The show kicked off with an upbeat intro of “The Portal”, marking the start of an epic performance and a revitalising experience for those in attendance. The true magic began when brothers Henry and Pierre Beasley took the night’s energy to another level with “Sideways”. This track, a fan favourite, had an immediate impact, with the audience singing along to every word.
Another highlight was the cover of “DARE” by Gorillaz, which brought a danceable vibe to the set.
The Portal Tour has been an absolute success, with the band gaining new fans in every city they visit, and all of their European dates already sold out. The tour reflects not only the success of the album, but also the rise of Balu Brigada as one of the most promising new forces in the music industry.
Another key element is the work of photographer André Figueiredo, responsible for capturing the visual essence of the shows. André’s work has become a vital part of the visual narrative of this journey, helping to tell the story of Balu Brigada’s growing success around the world.
At the end of this month, Balu Brigada will take their tour to Australia and New Zealand, where the duo promises more unforgettable nights. We can only hope they will also make their way back to South America soon.
Setlist
The Portal
Golden Gate Girl
Sideways
Politix
Designer
The Question
What Do We Ever Really Know?
4:25
Moon Man
Isolation
How It Would End
DARE (Gorillaz cover)
Birthday Interlude
Backseat
BedHead
Butterfly Boy
So Cold
Robot Rock (Daft Punk cover)
Find a Way / Could You Not
