The Basque band Kokein will be coming for a tour of the U.S. in March. The rock and roll band will be playing in Boise, Idaho and the California cities of South San Francisco, Bakersfield and Chino.
The group, which performs all its music in Basque, is based in the town of Eibar, Gipuzkoa.
This is the third year in a row that a rock band from the Basque Country has been invited to the U.S. by San Francisco and Boise to perform for Basque communities. In 2024, Zea Mays, a band from Bilbao and well known in the Basque Country, played in the U.S.
The two initial scheduled stops for Zea Mays were the Basque Cultural Center in South San Francisco and Boise. But the Basque Center in Boise was not available, because they were hosting bands from Idaho’s big music celebration, the Tree Fort Festival. Basque organizers in Boise worked out an arrangement for the Basque band to participate in the Tree Fort Festival as well, providing an opportunity for exposure beyond the Basque community. When the popular band Bulego came to the U.S. last year, they also performed at the Tree Fort Festival, and Kokein will appear there as well.
The goal of bringing these bands is “to showcase contemporary Basque culture,” said Philippe Acheritogaray, organizer of the concerts for the Basque Cultural Center. He noted that because these bands sing in Basque for such a niche audience, “they don’t do it for the money.”
“They all have their day jobs and they do this on the side,” said Acheritogaray. “We’re pretty fortunate to have the support of the Basque Government (in Spain),” he said, explaining that some funding for the bands’ tours come from the government and additional support comes from the U.S Basque clubs who host them.
Read more details of their U.S. tour.
Kokein’s members include singer Zaloa Urain, Haritz Lete, drums and vocals, Edu Arguinzoniz on bass, Jatsu Argarate on guitar and Iker Sáenz Zaitegi, guitar and vocals.
Concerts
Saturday, March 21, Kern County Basque Club, Bakersfield, Calif. Acoustic performance – Dinner 6 p.m. Show 7:30 p.m.
Paella dinner: $30 members / $40 non-members | For reservations: contact Joey Iturriria at (661) 393-3165 or email Maria Toretta at [email protected]
Sunday, March 22nd, Chino Basque Club, Chino, CA – Acoustic performance – Lunch 12:00pm – Show after lunch at around 2:30 – 3 p.m.
Wednesday, March 25th, TreeFort Music Fest, Boise, ID – Full electric performance – 8 – 8:40 p.m. Boise Brewing, 521 W Broad St.
Thursday, March 26th, TreeFort Music Fest, Boise, ID – Full electric performance – 7:50 – 8:40 p.m. Basque Center, 601 W. Grove St.
Saturday, March 28th, Basque Cultural Center, South San Francisco, CA – Full electric performance – Show 9:00 p.m.
