Vieux Farka Touré (Mali)
With special guest Ajak Kwai
** SOLD OUT **
Saturday 25th February 2023
Doors 7pm, Show 8pm
MEENIYAN TOWN HALL
Vieux Farka Touré is one of the world’s most respected guitarists and musicians.
He will be returning from from Mali to Meeniyan with his live band to perform from his extraordinary back catalogue and his critically acclaimed new album, Les Racines. This release is one that celebrates the universal adage that says ‘to know where you’re going, you must know where you’ve come from’.
Les Racines, translating as ‘the roots’, represents a deep reconnection with the traditional Songhai music of northern Mali. This is one of the northern West African musical traditions known in the West by the catch-all term ‘Desert Blues’.
And Vieux’s roots run far deeper than most. His father, the late Ali Farka Touré, was acclaimed as one of the finest guitarists Africa has ever produced and was a pioneer in introducing this style to audiences around the world.
Vieux spent 2 years making Les Racines, but the album had been gestating in his mind even longer. “I’ve had a desire to do a more traditional album for a long, long time. It’s important to me and to Malian people that we stay connected to our roots and our history,” Vieux explains.
Never one to stick to just one creative path, Vieux’s most recent release ‘Ali’ is a collaboration album with high profile Texan trio Khruangbin, which seamlessly melds Vieux’s masterful guitar work and soulful singing with their dubby psychedelia.
“Every now and then, if you’re very lucky, you get to witness a live performance that blows everything else away.” — The Independent, UK
“I’m going to make a pronouncement. This is one of the albums of the year. It’s amazing – the whole album.” Elton John – October 2022
Here is but a sample. Gabou Ni Tie is the entrancing opener to his masterpiece Les Racines;
And here is Homafu Wawa from his brilliant Album Samba.
Supporting Vieux is special guest Ajak Kwai.
Ajak Kwai’s music is inspiring and soulful, representing the depth and richness of her South Sudanese roots. Her performances are filled with vibrant sounds and her distinctive voice has mesmerised audiences nationally and internationally. Singing in Arabic, Sudanese or English, Ajak conjures a vivid picture of her Dinka heritage. Music is the vehicle for her stories of extraordinary life experiences as a refugee, exiled from her home and her family. Her moving tales of exile, hope, freedom, love, and cows – beloved animals of the Dinka – in turn reflect her optimism and belief in the best of human nature.
This will be a special evening.
Tickets : $50.00 plus booking fee
Book tickets via Oztix link
Enquiries phone 0408 039 251 or 0419 302 851
Allocated table seating. All Ages. BYO.
Doors 7pm, Show 8pm
