Apr 1/06
How to put on a show
I went to see Kékélé at La Boule Noire last night. Were any of you there? I’ve already met a bunch of you but I should try to meet more Benn loxo listeners who hit-up African music concerts in and around Paris.
I’ll be at the Mahmoud Ahmed/Ethiopiques show in Bobigny next Friday, then Konomo No. 1 on Sunday at Point Ephemere. Maybe Kofi Olomide on the 12th but that’s not for sure. If you’re thinking about going to any of these shows let me know and I’ll buy you a pint. And hey, if you have other suggestions I’m always up for a concert.
Last night I was thinking about how cool Kékélé looked up there on stage in their tuxedos. They were all smiles, dancing in sync and getting the crowd involved. One of the big reasons why I love African music so much is not only is it great to listen to, but the live shows are consistently fantastic. I try my best to stay away from pan-African stereotypes, but one thing is clear: African musicians, be they from Cap Verde or Sudan, usually put on a great live show. And they don’t need fireworks, jetpacks, screaming teenagers or light shows either.
So many Western musicians have completely forgotten how to be classy on stage and put on a good show.. as performers. I say bring back more tuxedos. “Teach the indie kids how to dance again.” More call-outs to the audience. At least one mandatory 20-minute super-extended version of a previously unreleased song. And play two sets! Or at least do a couple long encores. I don’t care if you’ve released only one album. Do a jam up there, get the people moving and go for it. Kékélé should give lessons.
Anyway, the concert was great and so is their third and latest album, Kinavana. You might’ve listened to Kékélé on Benn loxo before, but if not here’s your chance.
Kékélé is a group of well-known Congolese rumba musicians who first banded together in 2000 to release Rumba Congo. Rumba music fuses elements of Cuban music brought back to by African slaves with traditional Central African music, dance and rhythm like marimbula, conga and mambo. It was the sound in Zaire during the 60s. I/We love it here at Benn loxo.
Tags: congo, rumba
April 1st, 2006 at 10:25 pm
I’m never really in Paris and don’t generally go to live shows anyway, but I’d like to thank you for your lovely blog. I should get over the Channel sometime soon to visit friends in Paris, and perhaps then I should go to hear some of this music performed live.
April 1st, 2006 at 10:29 pm
I get over to London quite often. If I’go to see any African music when I’m there next I’ll mention it on the site beforehand.
Any fans of the music I post on this site are welcome to get in touch with me if they’re visiting Paris. I’ve met a great variety of interesting people through this site.
Your site looks interesting too, btw. I’m reading now..
April 2nd, 2006 at 1:08 am
You might also think about checking out The Ex and their Ethiopian Music Night series (in Paris on 7 April). More details here: http://www.theex.nl
and
http://www.subdist.com/jimmy/aquariusjimmy.htm
Mark
April 2nd, 2006 at 4:53 am
In the New York Times today, April 1, there was an article about musicians of Mali, along with short song clips. You might find it interesting. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/02/travel/02music.html?_r=1&th&emc=th&oref=slogin
It will probably only be available for a few days more. Log-in is free, for those who haven’t been to the NYTimes site before.
Kate
April 2nd, 2006 at 9:56 am
According to Koffi’s website there will be 2 concerts in Paris soon:
15 AVRIL at the Bataclan
30 AVRIL at l’Elysée Montmartre
I was in Paris last November but I forgot to contact you, I did a tour of the African musicshops, which can be found here:
http://africambiance.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=304
Have you visited these already?
Ronald
April 2nd, 2006 at 11:13 am
Mark - thanks, I’ll be there. Mahmoud Ahmed is also playing that night.
Ronald - thanks for the update on the Koffi dates. I may be at the show on the 15th. As for the record shops, yeah, I’ve been to a few of those but not all. Thanks for the list!
Cheers
April 2nd, 2006 at 9:37 pm
Mattgy- I just saw the film “Mahaleo” last night and don’t recall seeing any Malagasy posts on your blog! If you have any insight on Mahaleo or Malagasy music, please share! It is a great film, by the way.
April 2nd, 2006 at 9:39 pm
I’ll try to be there for Mahmoud Ahmed. I’m a big fan, his concerts are unforgettable. I’d like to dance like him when I’ll be as old as him….
Ciao
Franco
April 3rd, 2006 at 8:16 am
Rnola- I’ll be posting some Malagasy music this Wednesday!
Franco- I stand by that pint-on-me at the show offer. Let’s get in touch sometime before Friday.
April 3rd, 2006 at 8:18 pm
hi matt,
i will be in paris from 11th - 13th april - anything interesting going on i should be checking out?
also - the london african music festival 2006 is in may - http://www.rfh.org.uk/main/series/307.html - if you find yourself over here & would like to hook up for a show or two give me a shout. in fact, i’m quite sure there are many more london-based readers of this blog - a meetup might be fun - just an idea.
April 4th, 2006 at 6:06 pm
Hey Serena,
I checked-out local listings and since it’s mid-week 11-13 there’s not too much. There is a Senegalese guitarist playing at the Sattelit Café (http://www.satellit-cafe.com/) on the 11th. I’m always up for going there so if you feel like a pint at the Sattelit let me know.
As for London, I’m there in a few weeks for the long weekend but unfortunately won’t be able to make it up again in May. Anything cool going on over the long weekend that I should know about?
Cheers,
Matt
April 5th, 2006 at 8:27 am
Hello Matt,
Thanks for the great music as always. Unfortunately here in Budapest don’t come so many African artists.
I recently discovered the Ethiopiques series and really realy like the music, and especially Mahmoud Ahmed is one of my favourites. Wish I could see AND HEAR him live once.
PS: On the Belgium radio 1 is a very good “world music” program CLUB TROPICAL, and at the moment they have a live concert from Mahmoud Ahmed, CHECK IT!
Link: http://www.radio1.be/radio1_master/programmas/clt/r1_clt_home/index.html
Click the “het concert” link under Mahmoud Ahmed and enjoy 15.min live as a warm up for the real concert.
SeeYa, Frans
April 10th, 2006 at 4:47 am
Cool stuff thanks….I listen to this kind of music all the time. I have put some up on my site at: http://www.mirembe.com.html
ALSO there is an online radio station that plays ALOT of this music, I listen to it everyday at work:
http://www.live365.com/stations/ungadi
November 19th, 2007 at 10:10 am
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