Born out of war and exile, due to civil conflicts. Songhoy Blues who are a Malian group creates blistering and compelling West African rock music fused with elements of reggae and country.It was formed in 2012 when three musicians from northern Mali – Aliou Touré, Garba Touré and Oumar Touré (not related) – fled to the capital Bamako, after the Islamist group Ansar Dine took control of the region, banning music among much else.

The three met in Bamako, recruited drummer Nathanael Dembelé and the band began.

Their deep attachment to the home grown songs and dances of the Songhoy, both traditional styles and the modern guitar based sounds popularized by the likes Baba Salah and above all Ali Farka Toure, was helping shape their nascent music which sought to blend the trad and the modern, the homegrown and the foreign, the youthful and the ancient.

Songhoy Blues will be performing at The Great Western: A Festival of Musicial Exloration and Discovery

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