Kool & the Gang, officially launched in 1969. Thanks to iconic songs like Celebration, Cherish, Jungle Boogie, Summer Madness, and Open Sesame, they’ve earned two Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, 25 Top Ten R&B hits, 9 Top Ten Pop hits and 31 gold and platinum albums.

From Nairobi to Newark, Kool & the Gang has performed continuously longer than any R&B group in history and their bulletproof funk and jazzy arrangements have also made them the most sampled R&B band of all time. A reviewer recently called their performance “a 24-karat show” and every year, even after a half-century on the road, yields a non-stop schedule of shows across the globe.

The heavily-in-demand band has continued to tour the world, appearing most recently alongside Kid Rock, Dave Matthews Band, Elton John, The Roots, and a 50-city tour with the legendary rock band, Van Halen.

The group enjoys global fame and recognition and a following that spans generations due in part to the groups widely sampled catalogue. Kool & the Gang’s drum beats, bass, guitar and signature horn lines lace the tracks of numerous artists including the Beastie Boys, Jay-Z, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Cypress Hill, and P. Diddy. Kool & the Gang is the most sampled band in hip-hop by far. Their music is also featured on the soundtracks for Rocky, Saturday Night Fever, Pulp Fiction, Wreck-It Ralph and countless others.

Kool & the Gang’s years of hard work and talent earned them an induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in June 2018.

Support act to be announced.

View the add-ons for this event to see the Happy Bus service options to Haddington, Dunbar, Edinburgh and Glasgow (return).

*This is a standing event.

A limited number of seats are available to reserve by selecting the Accessible Platform ticket.

The Big Top venue is wheelchair accessible. If you require further information on accessibility please visit our Accessibility Guide or contact info@fringebythesea.com.

All ages are welcome.

Under 16s must be accompanied by an over 18.*