Independent: Rokia Traoré Gives "Star-Making Performance" at WOMAD Festival

Browse by:
Year
Browse by:
Publish date (field_publish_date)
Submitted by nonesuch on
Article Type
Publish date
Excerpt

Rokia Traoré was "one of the biggest draws" at this past weekend's WOMAD festival in Wiltshire, England, says the BBC. From backstage, BBC spoke with the Malian-born singer-songwriter, described as "one of Africa's most innovative and acclaimed musicians." The Independent gives four star's to the festival's first night, at which "the day's star-making performance comes from Mali's Rokia Traoré ... It is when she dances, hips swinging half-way to Somerset, and straps on an electric guitar to lead her band in hard, dramatic rock, that she becomes potent with pride."

Copy

Rokia Traoré was "one of the biggest draws" at this past weekend's WOMAD festival, says the BBC. From backstage at the festival, held at Charlton Park in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, England, BBC reporter Ruth Barnes spoke with the Malian-born singer-songwriter, described as "one of Africa's most innovative and acclaimed musicians," for a video interview.

In the segment, which also includes performance footage from the WOMAD stage, Rokia talks about her latest Nonesuch release, Tchamantché, and discusses the "dream come true" that is her involvement with the WOMAD concerts. You can watch the interview now at news.bbc.co.uk.

---

The Independent gives four star's to the festival's first night, Friday, at which "the day's star-making performance comes from Mali's Rokia Traoré." Reviewer Nick Hasted declares: "It is when she dances, hips swinging half-way to Somerset, and straps on an electric guitar to lead her band in hard, dramatic rock, that she becomes potent with pride." Read the concert review at independent.co.uk.

Rokia's label mate Youssou N'Dour closed out the festival proceedings in a rather rainy Sunday closer. The Guardian's Robin Denselow says Youssou's set was among the festival highlights. "His performance on the final evening, in a rainstorm," writes Denselow, "was a rousing reminder that he still possesses one of the greatest voices in Africa." And for all the festival entailed, the reviewer concludes, "N'Dour's set was equalled only by the frantic dance workout of a gloriously funky Rokia Traoré." Read more at guardian.co.uk.

---

Rokia comes to the United States in August for a string of free outdoor concert performances, starting with the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM)'s Rhythm & Blues Festival at MetroTech in downtown Brooklyn. Similar events follow in Chicago's Millennium Park and LA's California Plaza. For more tour information, visit nonesuch.com/on-tour.

featuredimage
Rokia Traore
  • Monday, July 27, 2009
    Independent: Rokia Traoré Gives "Star-Making Performance" at WOMAD Festival
    Benoit Peverelli

    Rokia Traoré was "one of the biggest draws" at this past weekend's WOMAD festival, says the BBC. From backstage at the festival, held at Charlton Park in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, England, BBC reporter Ruth Barnes spoke with the Malian-born singer-songwriter, described as "one of Africa's most innovative and acclaimed musicians," for a video interview.

    In the segment, which also includes performance footage from the WOMAD stage, Rokia talks about her latest Nonesuch release, Tchamantché, and discusses the "dream come true" that is her involvement with the WOMAD concerts. You can watch the interview now at news.bbc.co.uk.

    ---

    The Independent gives four star's to the festival's first night, Friday, at which "the day's star-making performance comes from Mali's Rokia Traoré." Reviewer Nick Hasted declares: "It is when she dances, hips swinging half-way to Somerset, and straps on an electric guitar to lead her band in hard, dramatic rock, that she becomes potent with pride." Read the concert review at independent.co.uk.

    Rokia's label mate Youssou N'Dour closed out the festival proceedings in a rather rainy Sunday closer. The Guardian's Robin Denselow says Youssou's set was among the festival highlights. "His performance on the final evening, in a rainstorm," writes Denselow, "was a rousing reminder that he still possesses one of the greatest voices in Africa." And for all the festival entailed, the reviewer concludes, "N'Dour's set was equalled only by the frantic dance workout of a gloriously funky Rokia Traoré." Read more at guardian.co.uk.

    ---

    Rokia comes to the United States in August for a string of free outdoor concert performances, starting with the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM)'s Rhythm & Blues Festival at MetroTech in downtown Brooklyn. Similar events follow in Chicago's Millennium Park and LA's California Plaza. For more tour information, visit nonesuch.com/on-tour.

    Journal Articles:On TourReviews

Enjoy This Post?

Get weekly updates right in your inbox.
terms

X By submitting my information, I agree to receive personalized updates and marketing messages about Nonesuch based on my information, interests, activities, website visits and device data and in accordance with the Privacy Policy. I understand that I can opt-out at any time by emailing privacypolicy@wmg.com.

Thank you!
x

Welcome to Nonesuch's mailing list!

Customize your notifications for tour dates near your hometown, birthday wishes, or special discounts in our online store!
terms

By submitting my information, I agree to receive personalized updates and marketing messages about Nonesuch based on my information, interests, activities, website visits and device data and in accordance with the Privacy Policy. I understand that I can opt-out at any time by emailing privacypolicy@wmg.com.

Related Posts

  • Friday, March 22, 2024
    Friday, March 22, 2024

    The Big Ears Festival is in Knoxville, TN, with performances by Sam Amidon, Laurie Anderson, Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society, Rhiannon Giddens, Mary Halvorson, Robin Holcomb, Wayne Horvitz, Hurray for the Riff Raff, Kronos Quartet, Brad Mehldau, Ringdown, Davóne Tines, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, and Yasmin Williams; conversations with many of the above; and an exhibit of Nonesuch artist photos by Michael Wilson. Beyond Big Ears, John Adams conducts LA Phil in Timo Andres's new concerto and his own City Noir at Disney Hall, where SF Symphony performs his Naive and Sentimental Music. Richard Goode plays Beethoven in Michigan. Tigran Hamasyan tours California. Emmylou Harris is in Pennsylvania and Boston, where The Magnetic Fields start their 69 Love Songs anniversary tour. Mandy Patinkin is in Portland, OR. Sarah Kirkland Snider’s Mass for the Endangered is performed on Prince Edward Island.

    Journal Topics: On TourWeekend Events
  • Friday, March 15, 2024
    Friday, March 15, 2024

    Rhiannon Giddens plays a sold-out show at the Beacon Theatre in NYC, where Nathalie Joachim has sold out Carnegie Hall’s Resnick Education Wing. The Black Keys play a set at Stubb's in Austin for SXSW. Tigran Hamasyan and his trio are in Boston and Chicago. Hurray for the Riff Raff has a sold-out show in St. Paul. Brad Mehldau plays solo in Europe—in Geneva, Rome, and Verona. Mandy Patinkin is in San Antonio. Cécile McLorin Salvant performs Ogresse conducted by Darcy James Argue in Luxembourg and Brussels.

    Journal Topics: On TourWeekend Events