GoGo Penguin

GoGo Penguin are an English band from Manchester, consisting of pianist Chris Illingworth, bassist Nick Blacka, and drummer Jon Scott. They formed in 2012, and as of 2025, they have released seven studio albums, two EPs, and three live albums.

GoGo Penguin formed in Manchester, England, in 2012. They released their debut album, Fanfares, the same year, to positive reviews. Their follow-up, v2.0, came out in 2014. In September 2014, it was shortlisted for the Barclaycard Mercury Prize as Album of the Year.

In 2015, GoGo Penguin signed to Blue Note Records. Their third album, Man Made Object, was published in 2016. They followed it in 2018 with A Humdrum Star. Their next record, which was self-titled, came out in 2020.

On 6 December 2021, the band announced the departure of their original drummer, Rob Turner, who was replaced by Jon Scott. Also in 2021, they released the album GGP/RMX and followed it with Everything Is Going to Be OK in 2023.

The band's music features breakbeats, minimalist piano melodies, powerful basslines, electronica-inspired drums, and anthemic riffs. Their music also incorporates elements of trip-hop, jazz, rock, and classical.

Critics have compared GoGo Penguin to Esbjörn Svensson Trio, Aphex Twin, Squarepusher, Massive Attack, and Brian Eno, as well as modern classical composers Shostakovich and Debussy or contemporary minimal music composers like Philip Glass.

Current

• Chris Illingworth – piano
• Nick Blacka – double bass
• Jon Scott – drums

Past

• Rob Turner – drums
• Grant Russell – double bass

Studio albums

EPs

Live albums

• GoGo Penguin at AllMusic
• GoGo Penguin 14 September 2018 Tiny Desk Concert