"How good are they LIVE?" in the last 12 months on 100 (as of 3/8/25)
%
Based on
critic concert reviews
Real Live Certified
Artists are "Real Live Certified" if their live shows have broad critical acclaim
Critics Consensus
Based on 9 concert reviews, the critics consensus is that Penguin Cafe is rated as an entertaining live performer, with worthwhile shows overall. Penguin Cafe concert reviews describe live shows and performances as hypnotic, confident, polished, atmospheric, inventive, and emotional.
Arthur Jeffes has brought together a group of musicians to create Music from the Penguin Cafe (now known simply as Penguin Cafe), playing the music of his father, Simon Jeffes and the Penguin Cafe Orchestra and combining it with his own compositions.
Has Performed With
Artist Website
Critic Concert Reviews
musicOMH (UK)
May 21, 2017
90
%
On the surface, tonight’s album launch show at Omeara didn’t immediately prompt thoughts of imperfection, largely due to the high level of musicianship and confident, polished execution on display.
With their capacity to create vivid soundscapes that fill the mind with colour and precision yet simultaneously allow it to drift freely alone Penguin Cafe could be the soundtrack to your life.
First up was German organist Anna von Hausswolff who with band and choir quickly set about imposing her darkly atmospheric music on tonight’s partly unsuspecting crowd.
Here were classically trained musicians mixing hypnotic Philip Glass-style minimalism with folk and world music playing it on ukuleles rubber bands and knackered harmoniums as well as orchestral instruments.
Thus this three-night stint at the same venue with Penguin Cafe the new band Arthur created in 2009 to continue the spirit of his father’s work carries a particular emotional resonance as well as coinciding with the group’s new album The Red Book.
It was the setting for several shows by Simon Jeffes’ original ensemble in the 1990s and it hosted concerts by remaining members of the PCO in 2007 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Jeffes’ death.
