Tinariwen - live photographs from gig in Liverpool

Published on Wed Mar 8, 2017 by David J Colbran
Last Updated on Tue May 24, 2022

Tinariwen are poet-guitarists and soul rebels from the Southern Sahara desert. Their music expresses the aspirations of their people, the Kel Tamashek or 'Touareg' of the southern Sahara desert. And I'm a big fan!

They have a load of links with Liverpool - way back in 2004 Africa Oye brought them over, for their first ever UK gig. It remains the stuff of legends, as the band played both nights and then hung around playing impromptu gigs for a couple of nights at the Magnet, converting loads of local music lovers to their distinct brand of trance guitar music. So it was no surprise that they choose the city as one of only two UK dates for the group on their 2017 European tour.

The gig was at the new north docks venue, The Invisible Wind Factory and it was great - the room was divided with a large curtain to add intimacy and a few viewing platforms added. They played for about an hour and a half - but could have gone on for ages - loads of older tunes and some from their great new album - Elwan. Anyway, some highlights. As always contact me for licencing details, or if you are arranging a world music gig get in touch.

Author: David J Colbran