Rodrigo y Gabriela bring their Cuban band to the UK in February

Fast-fingered acoustic guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela have announced they will be touring next year with their new Cuban band, the C.U.B.A., featuring some of Havana's finest musicians.

The dates will be the first chance fans will get to see the pair touring with a full band, showcasing tracks from their forthcoming new album, recorded with C.U.B.A., and entitled 'Area 52' due for release on 23rd January.

The album was recorded in Havana during the summer of 2011, and was produced by Peter Asher and Rodrigo. On the album, Rod & Gab revisit nine of their own original compositions with dramatic new arrangements featuring a thirteen-piece Cuban orchestra.

Rodrigo says of the album, "It's an obvious reference to Area 51, it must be a fact that Area 52's next door right? We felt it was the right time and place to deal with unknown ways to create music. It was an opportunity to experiment and dare to do things we never believed we were gonna do". He adds, "Of course, all the musicians we played with on this album could be coming from another planet. Their technique and passion is almost beyond human understanding! We feel very lucky because for us this exercise has been like a Master's Degree for all we've learned from them."

Rodrigo y Gabriela and C.U.B.A. live in the UK and Ireland at the following venues:

Tue 21 February The O2 Academy, Glasgow
Wed 22 February HMV Ritz, Manchester
Fri 24 February The O2 Academy Brixton, London

Tickets for these shows are priced at £25, and will go on sale at 9am tomorrow, Friday 11th November, and eGigs will have links for you to buy them then.

FUTURE GIGS