This October, Saharan desert rock band Tamikrest will tour Australia for the first time. Here for only 5 performances The Sydney Opera House, MONA, Strawberry Fields Festival, Meeniyan Town Hall and Canberra Street Theatre, this is a desert rock concert not to be missed.
The band Tamikrest, which means “junction” or “connection” in Tamasheq, is currently exiled in Algeria to escape the burden of sharia law, which banned music among other things. The group is made up of musicians from Mali, Niger and Algeria. Tamikrest has been recognised over the last decade as one of the most exciting ‘desert rock’ bands to emerge from the Sahara. On their Australian debut, they will tour with their new trio arrangement, incorporating their blistering guitar sounds, tempered with drone-like elements that magically evoke the slowly shifting sands of their homelands.
Their music draws on the rebel Ishumar Rock, or Tuareg Blues, infused with rock, reggae, world music and folk to create a sound that is both global and utterly unique. A tribute to the Saharan Touareg identity, their music is spiced up with modern influences. Tamikrest want to make Tamasheq poetry and culture accessible to inhabitants of a world larger than the immensity of the Saharan desert and their African neighbours.
Leader of Tamikrest, Ousmane Ag Mossa, says: “I’m really looking forward to Australia and of course, I’m proud that I can discover the country through my music, through my guitar and my lyrics. It will be a great experience. I’m 100% sure.”
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KEY INFO FOR TAMIKREST 2022 DEBUT AUSTRALIAN TOUR
WHAT: Concerts by desert rock band Tamikrest
WHERE & WHEN:
Wed 26th October– MONA – Nolan Room, Hobart (on sale 13 September)
Fri 28th October – Strawberry Fields Festival, Tocumwal
Sat 29th October – Meeniyan Town Hall
Sun 30th October – Street Theatre, Canberra
Mon 31st October – Sydney Opera House (on sale 9am this Friday 5 August)
HOW: Purchase your tickets and get and more information here: https://www.topshelf.com.au/tamikrest
HOW MUCH: Ticket prices vary depending on the venue.
Have you heard of desert rock before?
For events with French links happening this month, check out our What’s on in August article
