Presently, at the epicentre of world music, Etran de l’Air are a force to be reckoned with. Ria Sagoo reviews their show in Birmingham.
Having been fully formed since its lead singer Moussa ‘Abindi’ Ibra, was only nine years of age, Etran de l’Air have gone from strength to strength, gaining a cult following and garnering acclaim from their own country and all over the world. Capturing the contemporary sound of Agadez, the capital city of Saharan rock, they are at the forefront of showcasing an old form of music to a newer generation - one that recognises and respects tradition and cultural influence. Boy was it a treat!
Before the gig I was lucky enough to see them in the outside area where I chatted to the bassist. They hardly spoke English, but I conveyed to them just how much I enjoyed their music and sound and how excited I was to see them perform. I asked them what their name meant: he pointed to the sky and said, ‘you know etoile’? With my limited GCSE French aiding me in this discourse, I miraculously pulled the word out of my mind and with very little certainty replied, ‘stars?’ The band’s name means ‘stars of the air’, and did they prove to sound just as magical as the name they chose? Yes!
"Etran De L’Air is a walking example of 21st century nomadic expressionism interwoven into a very intriguing patchwork that highlights a centred focus into the hearty culture of Niger in Western Africa."
With their latest album Agadez paying homage to their birth-country (a celebratory tribute to Agadez’ hearty culture), we were able to see a ton of their latest tracks being performed. Their music holds a multitude of different purposes addressing the more serious sentiments of socio-political issues such as immigration, whilst simultaneously conducting a celebratory atmosphere for the audience to fall privy to. Etran De L’Air is a walking example of 21st century nomadic expressionism interwoven into a very intriguing patchwork that highlights a centred focus into the hearty culture of Niger in Western Africa.
At the forefront of the Tuareg guitar-scene, amongst fellow counterparts Les Filles de Illigahadad, Etran De L’Air relies on its signature three-man guitar and multi-faceted poetry to transmit messages that transport storytelling on to a whole other level. Songs such as the acclaimed Agrim Agadez and their latest song Toubouk Ine Chihoussay were included in their setlist, setting the tone for the rest of their performance as one that is a psych-rock, bluesy-induced rollercoaster of familial emphasis and cultural pride. Mixing elements of the traditional with a more eccentric approach when it comes to showcasing true authentic African music, Etran De L’Air also allows for the more folk-like elements of their interpretation of Saharan rock to come through. The performance of ‘Adounia’ was a perfect symbiosis of this, mixing old music styles with the new and creating a clash of culture and accessibility towards the Western public.
"...setting the tone for the rest of their performance as one that is a psych-rock, bluesy-induced rollercoaster of familial emphasis and cultural pride."
Adding a more personal note for this review, the people who attended this concert were from all over Birmingham, and all had such incredible stories of their own, something you would expect when attending a concert as culturally influenced as this. Having all the elements of a party, there was not a single person who did not let out a little dance. Though some of us may have been ignorant to the language that is in some of Etran de L’Airs’ songs, the band still felt so accessible to everyone. The cadence and the grooviness of the guitars felt like you were being transported with them back to their home country and were a guest at the table of their own culture.
The charisma and personability of each member really shone through, making them a hit with the audience. Etran De L’Air is a band in which you can really see the enthusiasm and love they have towards their music, and it is this passion that really trickles down to each audience member. It is not only a band that produces incredible music, but also guarantees an unforgettable experience to be apart of.
Ria Sagoo
Edited by Tabitha Smith
Cover/Feature Image courtesy of Etran De L'Air via Instagram
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