A genre-defying group of musicians are heading to the North East at the start of a tour to promote their new album.

Penguin Café, who will perform at The Fire Station, Sunderland, on Thursday, November 2, combine folk, classical music and minimalism in a uniquely distinctive style.

Penguin Cafe was founded by Arthur Jeffes in 2009, bringing together a talented and disparate group of musicians initially to perform his father Simon's legacy of world-renowned Penguin Café Orchestra (PCO) music, ten years after his untimely death in 1997.

The Northern Echo: Penguin Cafe are heading to Sunderland at the start of a tour to showcase their new album

Arthur, a talented composer in his own right, quickly began to create new and genre-defying music, with the philosophy of the original PCO always in his mind.

Five new albums of original music followed and the group is touring a new album - Rain Before Seven – starting with a gig at The Fire Station.

Tamsin Austin, venue director at The Fire Station, said: “The Penguins will be performing music from their new album and plenty of their back catalogue favourites – as well as performing music from the original Penguin Café Orchestra repertoire.

The Northern Echo: Penguin Cafe will be performing tracks from their new album, as well as from their back catalogue, at their Sunderland showPenguin Cafe will be performing tracks from their new album, as well as from their back catalogue, at their Sunderland show (Image: SUNDERLAND CULTURE)

“Arthur leads an ensemble of genuine quality, and the variety of instruments they play – upright and grand pianos, cello, percussion, bass, violins, synthesiser and harmonium to name a few – create an unforgettable and unique sound.

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“There is a cleverness and a poignancy to their music which their cult following can’t get enough of, and we’re thrilled to be able to present their music to a new audience in Sunderland.

“Get down early as we will also have a special all-vinyl warm-up set for Penguin Café by DeJa Brew DJs, drawing on neo-classical, ambient jazz and film-scores, from 6.30pm.”

Tickets are from £17, and to book, or for more information, go to www.thefirestation.org.uk