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Abel Selaocoe: I am because we are

2025-07-18T09:36:00

Abel Selaocoe-Troxy-@benmcquaide-3

South African cellist, singer and composer Abel Selaocoe speaks to Lauren Wesley-Smith about opening up classical spaces, finding his musical identity, and his most recent album – as well as sharing a few pearls of wisdom

London’s Troxy has seen its fair share of history. Constructed in 1932–3, the art deco building has been a cinema, an opera centre and a bingo hall, and now it’s a live events venue hosting a wide range of artists including Patti Smith, the Cure, Robbie Williams and Skrillex. On this night, the stage is set for a cellist who defies categorisation: Abel Selaocoe, performing with his Bantu Ensemble…

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