Tuareg Rebels Hit the Road

By Howard Male Posted on Tuesday, 19 August 2008

COMING SOON - WORLD MUSIC Critic Howard Male looks to the more exotic flavours that world music has to offer

Only once in the past 10 months have the desert rockers Tinariwen (pictured) not been mentioned in this guide, but as they're currently one of the best bands in the world, I'll unapologetically risk informing you that they have a few more gigs coming up. On 25 August they are at the Komedia in Brighton (01273 647100), on 27 August, the Princess Pavilion in Falmouth (01326 211222) and on 29 August they land at the Electric Picnic Festival in Stradbally (0818 719 300).

Another reason for giving Tinariwen yet another plug is that there's actually a dearth of other big names visiting these shores over the next couple of months, following the world music overkill of Womad and the Radio 3 Proms show at the Royal Albert Hall. But at least this gives you the opportunity to check out a few less familiar artists.

Cibelle isn't new - she most famously contributed vocals to Suba's seminal album Sao Paulo Confessions a decade ago - but this adventurous Brazilian singer still hasn't had much exposure here, despite some favourable responses from critics. Catch her trippy take on samba at, among other venues, the Blue Coat in Liverpool (12 Sep, 0151-702 5324), the Glee Club in Birmingham (16 Sep, 0870 241 5093) and the Voodoo Rooms in Edinburgh (21 Sep, 0131- 556 7060).

Someone else who is not exactly flavour of the month but is always worth seeing is the Zimbabwean veteran Oliver Mtukudzi. Along with his excellent band, the Black Spirits, he'll be playing his politically charged but joyous dance music at the Jazz Cafe, London (20 Aug, 0870 060 3777), Hove Town Hall (22 Aug, 07939 957939) and the Birmingham Academy (24 Sep, 0121-262 3000).

Finally, Cambodia's answer to the B-52's, Dengue Fever, follow a tent-shaking set at Womad with two more festival appearances. They are at Beautiful Days in Devon (16 Aug, 0844 412 2706) and the previously mentioned Electric Picnic Festival on 31 Aug.