Rokia Traoré

• Venue: Newtownsmith Main Stage
• Sunday
  18:00 - 19:30 | Free
• Music Events

Rokia Traoré is one of the most inspiring African artists of our time. Hailing from Mali, a country full of deep musical reserves, she draws inspiration from a childhood spent in Europe. Combining classical, jazz, folk, pop and blues with human beat box, she performs with a vintage Gretsch guitar and an ngoni (lute), transcending ideas of both traditional and contemporary African sound to create a singularly unique expression. Singing in her native Bamabara and French, her exquisitely far-reaching voice transports all who hear it to a place where boundaries have no meaning.

Traoré is the recipient of numerous international accolades, from Best Artist in the inaugural Songlines Music Awards to a coveted New York Times Critic’s Choice for her current album Tchamantché. Bomboi, her second album was voted World Music Album of 2003 in the BBC Critics’ Poll and was described by Time Magazine as “mesmerizing… casting its spell with virtuoso vocals, rich textures and startling diversity.” The Times proclaimed, “Traoré’s voice transforms everything it touches. Sometimes caressing, sometimes keening, it is as agile as some rare desert bird.” Her intoxicating live shows are an essential experience, prompting Time Out to credit her as “arguably the most exciting, most thrilling live African music show around.”

This special 10th Anniversary headline concert is an opportunity to experience the Irish debut of one of the world’s most exhilarating artists in a performance that will take your breath away.

“Arguably the most adventurous African artist around strikes gold with a huge musical leap into the guitar-driven bluesy territory usually reserved for Salif Keita. Terrific” ****MOJO