Skip to main content Skip to footer site map
John McLaughlin and Zakir Hussain Announce SHAKTI U.S. Tour

John McLaughlin and Zakir Hussain Announce SHAKTI U.S. Tour

The tour will begin in August and run through September.

Following word of the Summer 2023 release of This Moment - their first new studio album in 46 years - revolutionary world music ensemble Shakti will continue to discover and explore the musical common ground bridging East and West on an extensive U.S. tour, beginning August 17 in Boston, current itinerary below with more dates TBA.

Born in the mid-1970s out of the deep artistic and spiritual connection bonding British guitarist John McLaughlin and Indian tabla player Zakir Hussain, Shakti's cross-cultural musical conversation dissolved boundaries with uncommon passion, grace, and dexterity - awakening subsequent generations of musicians to the possibilities of such hybrids in the process.

Alongside McLaughlin and Hussain, today's Shakti features vocalist Shankar Mahadevan, violinist Ganesh Rajagopalan, and percussionist Selvaganesh Vinayakram (son of original Shakti ghatam player T.H. "Vikku" Vinayakram.)

Looking ahead to the performances, McLaughlin equates the endeavor to a homecoming of sorts. "Shakti was born in the USA in 1973," he reflects, "and is also no stranger to American audiences. We've played concerts all over the US from coast to coast and north to south - and everywhere we've played, we've had wonderful audiences."

Joining Shakti on more than half of the dates will be another performer dedicated to intermingling and transcending genres, Béla Fleck, who will open the performances with a solo set and will then join forces with Shakti later each evening. "Hearing Shakti was a revelation and I started listening right when they started," Fleck recalls.

"Something about Shakti, and also making music with Zakir, was very relatable - perhaps akin to the acoustic guitar and fiddle. But it wasn't until playing with Zakir and Edgar Meyer [on 2009's Melody of Rhythm: Triple Concerto & Music for Trio] that I started having more of a sense of what they were up to. Keeping in mind the virtuosic and energetic level of the band, I'll be attempting to create a solo set that mesmerizes and excites."

"Béla is a truly fine musician and one I have admired for decades," McLaughlin says. "In addition, Béla has toured and recorded with Zakir Hussain and is no stranger to the musical culture of India." McLaughlin and Fleck have only shared the stage once before - during a Chick Corea birthday show at the Blue Note in New York - making these upcoming collaborations a thrilling proposition for both audiences and performers alike. Shakti will also be joined by Bill Frisell and other special guests on select shows.

With the recording of their new studio album now complete, the members of Shakti now await the opportunity to continue their pan-global dialogue. "In our initial incarnation," Zakir Hussain concludes, "we did not always have the time nor the means to explore. Now, with the decades of individual musical experiences we all have poured into this, the result reveals an extraordinary depth and level of interaction within this band."

"Shakti" - Summer/Fall 2023 Initial Tour Dates - More TBA

8.17.2023 - Wang Theatre at Boch Center - Boston, MA

8.19.2023 - The Capitol Theatre - Port Chester, NY

8.20.2023 - Prudential Hall - Newark, NJ *

8.22.2023 - Keswick Theatre - Glenside, PA

8.23.2023 - Wolf Trap - Vienna, VA *

8.31.2023 - Ryman Auditorium - Nashville, TN

9.3.2023 - Ravinia Festival - Highland Park, IL*

9.5.2023 - Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall - Portland, OR *

9.6.2023 - Paramount Theatre - Seattle, WA *

9.8.2023 - Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts - Davis, CA **

9.9.2023 - Davies Symphony Hall - San Francisco, CA

9.11.2023 - Irvine Barclay Theatre - Irvine, CA *

9.14.2023 - Hill Auditorium - Ann Arbor, MI *

9.16.2023 - H-E-B Center - Austin, TX *

* w/ Béla Fleck
** w/ Bill Frisell



The Curse Of K.K. Hammond Tops iTunes Blues Charts With Debut Album Death Roll Blues Photo
The 'Queen of Horror Blues' released her first full-length album on March 31st, 2023. The UK-based artist blends slide blues guitars with horror-inspired lyrics and visuals. The album debuted at #1 on the US and UK iTunes Blues Albums Charts.

George Hinchliffes Ukulele Orchestra Of Great Britain Make Gettysburg Debut At The Majesti Photo
Gettysburg College's Majestic Theater welcomes George Hinchliffe's world-renowned Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain on Tuesday, May 9 at 7:30 p.m. for an evening of heartfelt musical absurdity. Tickets for the group's Gettysburg debut are available now at the Majestic Theater Box Office.

Ill Communication Release Doomsday Brigade LP Photo
Ill Communication started as a few friends from the Oxnard and Tehachapi Hardcore scenes who had talked about making music together for over 15 years. After playing and touring North America and Europe in bands such as The Warriors, Diehard Youth, No Motiv, Retaliate and Gravemaker.

Sondre Lerche Releases New Album Avatars Of The Night Photo
Lerche will star in the Nordic production of Moulin Rouge! which will premiere on August 30 at Chateau Neuf in Oslo, Norway. Sondre will play 'Christian,” the character made famous by Ewan McGregor in Baz Luhrman's 2001 movie, where he starred alongside Nicole Kidman, whose character will be played by Norwegian actress Heidi Ruud Ellingsen. 


From This Author - Michael Major


Ill Communication Release 'Doomsday Brigade' LPIll Communication Release 'Doomsday Brigade' LP
March 31, 2023

Ill Communication started as a few friends from the Oxnard and Tehachapi Hardcore scenes who had talked about making music together for over 15 years. After playing and touring North America and Europe in bands such as The Warriors, Diehard Youth, No Motiv, Retaliate and Gravemaker.

Sondre Lerche Releases New Album 'Avatars Of The Night' Featuring New Single 'The Most Savage Joke'Sondre Lerche Releases New Album 'Avatars Of The Night' Featuring New Single 'The Most Savage Joke'
March 31, 2023

Lerche will star in the Nordic production of Moulin Rouge! which will premiere on August 30 at Chateau Neuf in Oslo, Norway. Sondre will play 'Christian,” the character made famous by Ewan McGregor in Baz Luhrman's 2001 movie, where he starred alongside Nicole Kidman, whose character will be played by Norwegian actress Heidi Ruud Ellingsen. 

OF AN AGE to Premiere on Peacock in AprilOF AN AGE to Premiere on Peacock in April
March 31, 2023

OF AN AGE is the latest film from Focus Features coming to Peacock joining SPOILER ALERT, TÁR and ARMAGEDDON TIME and Peacock’s growing library of the latest box office hits, including M3GAN, PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH, TICKET TO PARADISE and KNOCK AT THE CABIN.

Kelsey Waldon to Release 'No Regular Dog' Deluxe EditionKelsey Waldon to Release 'No Regular Dog' Deluxe Edition
March 31, 2023

Consisting of 18 tracks—a combination of dynamic live recordings alongside intimate work tapes and voice notes—the deluxe edition demonstrates the depth of Waldon’s artistry and the growth she experienced while creating No Regular Dog, as she chronicles the recording and touring process.

Paper Bee Announces New Album 'Thaw, Freeze, Thaw'Paper Bee Announces New Album 'Thaw, Freeze, Thaw'
March 31, 2023

Paper Bee collaborated on crafting Thaw, Freeze, Thaw with producer Kyle Gilbride (Swearin’, Waxahatchee) while living together as housemates through the COVID-19 quarantine. The record presents a story about queer love, heartbreak, and belonging, and serves as a final pre-HRT document of songwriter Nick Berger’s soprano voice.