Khruangbin Unveils “Pon Pón” from Upcoming Album A LA SALA, Expands North American Tour
Khruangbin, the globally celebrated trio known for their seamless blend of world music influences, is gearing up for the release of their much-anticipated album A LA SALA, set to drop on April 5th. In anticipation, the band has shared a new single, “Pon Pón,” Listen here giving fans a further glimpse into what promises to be another genre-defying project. Released via KCRW, “Pon Pón” invites listeners to a metaphorical West African discotheque, spotlighting a masterful interplay between Laura Lee’s bass, DJ’s hi-hat, and Marko’s rhythmic scratches, encapsulating the trio’s knack for creating deeply immersive soundscapes.
Pre-order A LA SALA HERE
Khruangbin’s forthcoming album marks their first LP release in four years, a follow-up to their critically acclaimed efforts that have captivated audiences worldwide. A LA SALA is a result of the band’s continuous exploration and integration of diverse musical elements, drawing inspiration from their extensive array of voice memos recorded during soundchecks, travels, and moments of spontaneous creativity. This collection of twelve tracks is a testament to the band’s unique process, piecing together a mosaic of their untapped creative expressions.
The announcement of A LA SALA coincides with Khruangbin’s expansion of their recently unveiled North American tour. The tour promises an electrifying set of performances, including appearances at major music festivals like Coachella, Boston Calling, and Bonnaroo, and headlining nights at iconic venues such as Denver’s Red Rocks, New York’s Forest Hills Tennis Stadium, and Berkeley’s Greek Theatre. The band’s live shows have become legendary, known for their dynamic energy and the seamless fusion of global music traditions.
Since their inception, Khruangbin has charted a unique path in the music industry. With a name meaning “airplane” in Thai, symbolizing the international essence of their music, the band has flown beyond traditional genre boundaries. Their sound, a blend of Thai funk, Persian rock, Jamaican dub, and more, is a reflection of their broad musical tastes and influences. Their visual aesthetic, too, is distinctive, with the band often performing in wigs and coordinating outfits, further enhancing their mystique and appeal.
Khruangbin’s journey began in the small town of Burton, Texas, where bassist Laura Lee met guitarist Mark Speer. Together with drummer Donald “DJ” Johnson, they formed Khruangbin, initially gaining attention with their 2015 debut album, The Universe Smiles Upon You. The band’s ability to weave together sounds from around the globe, coupled with their instrumental prowess, has earned them a dedicated fanbase and critical acclaim.
The release of A LA SALA and the accompanying tour represent the next chapter in Khruangbin’s remarkable journey. From selling out venues like New York City’s Radio City Music Hall to collaborating with artists like Leon Bridges and Malian guitarist Vieux Farka Touré, Khruangbin continues to push the boundaries of their sound. As they embark on this new era, the band remains a beacon of innovation and unity in music, inviting listeners from all corners of the world to join in their auditory journey.
Fans eager to experience Khruangbin’s latest musical evolution can pre-order A LA SALA now and find more information on tour dates and ticket sales online. As Khruangbin continues to explore new sonic territories, their story stands as a testament to the power of music to transcend boundaries and bring people together.
Tour Dates
NORTH AMERICAN/EUROPEAN TOUR DATES
4/14/24 – Coachella – Indio, CA
4/16/24 – The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park – San Diego, CA*
4/18/24 – Alex Madonna Expo Center – San Luis Obispo, CA*
4/19/24 – Alex Madonna Expo Center – San Luis Obispo, CA*
4/21/24 – Coachella – Indio, CA
4/23/24 – Brooklyn Bowl – Las Vegas, NV *
4/24/24 – Brooklyn Bowl – Las Vegas, NV *
4/26/24 – Revel – Albuquerque, NM *
4/27/24 – Revel – Albuquerque, NM *
5/21/24 – The Met – Philadelphia, PA ^
5/22/24 – The Met – Philadelphia, PA ^
5/23/24 – The Met – Philadelphia, PA ^
5/25/24 – Boston Calling – Boston, MA
5/26/24 – Saratoga Performing Arts Center – Saratoga Springs, NY ^
5/28/24 – Rockin’ at the Buffalo AKG – Buffalo, NY ^
5/29/24 – Jacob’s Pavillion – Cleveland, OH ^
5/31/24 – History – Toronto, ON ^
6/1/24 – History – Toronto, ON ^
6/2/24 – History – Toronto, ON ^
6/4/24 -The Masonic Temple Theatre – Detroit, MI ^
6/5/24 – KEMBA Live! – Columbus, OH ^
6/7/24 – The Salt Shed – Chicago, IL ^
6/8/24 – The Salt Shed – Chicago, IL ^
6/9/24 – The Salt Shed – Chicago, IL ^
6/11/24 – Red Hat Amphitheater – Raleigh, NC ^
6/12/24 – ExploreAsheville.com Arena – Asheville, NC ^
6/14/24 – Bonnaroo – Manchester, TN
7/4/24 – Roskilde Festival – Roskilde, Denmark
7/6/24 – Werchter Festival – Werchter, Belgium
7/7/24 – Down The Rabbit Hole – Ewijk, The Netherlands
7/10/24 – Jardin Sonore – Vitrolles, France
7/11/24 – Musilac Festival – Aix-les-Bains, France
7/12/24 – Bilbao BBK – Bilbao, Spain
7/13/24 – Nos Alive Festival – Lisbon, Portugal
7/16/24 – Zagreb SRC Salata – Zagreb, Croatia
7/17/24 – Metastadt Open Air – Vienna, Austria
7/18/24 – Colours of Ostrava – Ostrava, Czech Republic
7/20/24 – Electric Castle – Bontida, Romania
7/23/24 – Paleo Festival – Nyon, Switzerland
7/24/24 – Luzern Live Festival – Lucerne, Switzerland
7/26/24 – Latitude Festival – Suffolk, UK
8/14/24 – Greek Theatre – Berkeley, CA %
8/15/24 – Greek Theatre – Berkeley, CA %
8/16/24 – Greek Theatre – Berkeley, CA %
8/18/24 – Edgefield – Troutdale, OR %
8/19/24 – Edgefield – Troutdale, OR %
8/21/24 – Kettlehouse Amphitheater – Bonner, MT %
8/22/24 – Kettlehouse Amphitheater – Bonner, MT %
8/24/24 – Granary Live – Salt Lake City, UT %
8/26/24 – Mission Ballroom – Denver, CO %
8/27/24 – Red Rocks – Morrison, CO %
8/28/24 – Red Rocks – Morrison, CO %
9/20/24 – Forest Hills Tennis Stadium – New York, NY +
9/21/24 – Forest Hills Tennis Stadium – New York, NY +
9/23/24 – The Anthem – Washington, DC $
9/24/24 – The Anthem – Washington, DC $
10/2/24 – The Factory – St.Louis, MO $
10/3/24 – The Factory – St.Louis, MO $
10/9/24 – Saenger Theatre – New Orleans, LA $
10/10/24 – Saenger Theatre – New Orleans, LA $
10/31/24 – AFAS – Amsterdam, The Netherlands %
11/1/24 – AFAS – Amsterdam, The Netherlands %
11/2/24 – Lotto – Antwerp, Belgium %
11/4/24 – L’Olympia – Paris, France %
11/5/24 – L’Olympia – Paris, France %
11/7/24 – Tempodrom – Berlin, Germany %
11/11/24 – Milan, Italy – Alcatraz %
11/12/24 – Halle 662 – Zurich, Switzerland %
11/15/24 – OVO Hydro – Glasgow, UK %
11/17/24 – Apollo – Manchester, UK %
11/18/24 – Apollo – Manchester, UK %
11/20/24 – Eventim Apollo – London, UK %
11/21/24 – Eventim Apollo – London, UK %
11/22/24 – Eventim Apollo – London, UK %
11/24/24 – 3 Arena – Dublin, Ireland %
* w/ Hermano Gutiérrez
^ w/ John Carroll Kirby
% w/ Peter Cat Recording Co.
+ w/ Men I Trust
$ w/ Arooj Aftab