Band on the Wall in association with Manchester Museums & Galleries present:
We Face Forward – Music from West Africa Today
Band on the Wall is proud to be presenting the music programme for We Face Forward – Manchester’s dazzling celebratory season of exhibitions and concerts this summer by West Africa’s finest artists and musicians. Taking place in venues, galleries, museums and spaces across Manchester. Click on the links below for tickets and more info:
Sunday 3rd June, The Bridgewater Hall
From the creators of Buena Vista Social Club we present the Cuban/Malian supergroup, featuring Eliades Ochoa and Toumani Diabaté, that has taken the world by storm.
Friday 15th June, Band on the Wall
Kanda Bongo Man is one of Africa’s most joyful, mesmerising and hip-shaking pop stars. Join us on the Band on the Wall dancefloor for serious kwassa kwassa moves!
Saturday 23rd June, The Printworks
The official We Face Forward free party taking place after the Olympic Torch Relay event and featuring a very special concert by Seckou Keita, the Senegalese master of the Kora — Africa’s magical 21-stringed harp.
JALIBA KUYATEH & THE KUMAREH BAND
Friday 29th June, Band on the Wall
Gambia’s greatest living exponent of the Kora — one of Africa’s most beautiful and complex instruments — live at Band on the Wall with his wonderful Kumareh Band.
MAMANE BARKA & ETRAN FINATAWA:
Tuesday 3rd July,
Royal Northern College of Music
This stunning multi-media event features images and film with music created by musicians from two of Niger’s most acclaimed bands — Mamane Barka and Etran Finatawa: The Endless Journey.
Wednesday 4th July, HMV Ritz
A very special concert by the true heir to the Afrobeat crown — Femi Kuti and his band performing their intoxicating mix of jubilant, funky music and completely addictive dance rhythms.
Friday 3rd August, Band on the Wall
One of Senegal’s most loved musicians who, along with his incredible band, blends traditional rhythms with bluesy West African melodies and upbeat dance grooves.
DELE SOSIMI AFROBEAT ORCHESTRA
Saturday 25th August, Band on the Wall
One-time member of both Fela and Femi Kuti’s bands, and musical director of the National Theatre’s critically-acclaimed musical Fela!, Dele Sosimi brings his own Afrobeat orchestra for a thrilling and pulsating performance at Band on the Wall.
Presented by Band on the Wall in association with ‘We Face Forward’ a season of contemporary art and music from West Africa, celebrated across Manchester as part of the London 2012 Festival. For information on all events please visit www.wefaceforward.org