“Fantastic Negrito is going on tour in January 2026.”

The incomparable Fantastic Negrito is set to bring his electrifying live show to the United Kingdom this coming January, offering audiences an experience that is, quite simply, unlike anything else on the contemporary music scene. The three-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist traverses genres with astonishing ease, moving between funk, soul, R&B, gospel, and Americana with a raw intensity that leaves a lasting impression.

Known offstage as Xavier Dphrepaulezz, Fantastic Negrito’s performances are as much a spiritual journey as they are a musical one. Speaking about his upcoming tour, he remarked:

“My music takes on a life of its own in a live setting—it becomes interactive, the audience becomes part of it. The music is spiritually charged and meant to be experienced in person. AI can’t replace that. Every show is different, organic, and driven by a real sense of urgency.”

Fans in the UK will have the chance to witness this dynamic artistry at a series of high-profile dates, including two headline performances at London’s celebrated January Blues Festival, a special appearance at Celtic Connections in Glasgow—the city’s prestigious folk, roots, and world music festival—and a stop at The Live Rooms in Chester.

The story of Fantastic Negrito’s career is as extraordinary as his music. Beginning as a street busker in Oakland, California, he signed his first record deal with Interscope, only for his career to be abruptly derailed by a near-fatal car accident that left him in a coma for three weeks. Following years of recovery, he returned with a vengeance, winning NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert competition in 2015 and subsequently securing his first of three Grammys with the 2016 album The Last Days of Oakland. Throughout his ascent, he enjoyed the support of the late Chris Cornell and has collaborated with iconic figures including Mick Jagger and Sting.

The year 2025 saw Fantastic Negrito embark on an expansive world tour. Highlights included a Libera Award nomination for his acclaimed record Son Of A Broken Man, serving on the judging panel for the American Songwriter Song Contest, and collaborating with rising artist Everything Velvet on her debut EP, Scratch.

For those fortunate enough to attend, these performances promise an unforgettable encounter with one of modern music’s most compelling voices—an artist whose live shows transform every venue into a space brimming with passion, spontaneity, and sheer musical magic.

UK Tour Dates – January 2026