The fact that Tinariwen make groovy Saharan blues that simultaneously feels both embedded in rich cultural tradition and forward-thinking psychedelia might be the least cool thing about them. Hailing from the northern region of Mali, the band is a collective of Tuareg musicians who formed in 1979 while living in exile in Algeria. The story of how they got there is tightly woven with the contemporary history of the Tuareg and their struggles with the Malian government. While that is a complicated history that this writer is ill-equipped to expound upon, it is important to note that there have been multiple Tuareg rebellions against the ruling power since Tinariwen came together as a band. During the 2012 Tuareg rebellion, Ansar Dine, a militant Islamist group, condemned popular music and specifically targeted Tinariwen, successfully capturing band member Abdallah Ag Lamida. The rest of the band got away, but Ag Lamida was nabbed while trying to save his guitars. He was eventually released after a few weeks of captivity. In 2018, due to more strife in the region, the band was unable to re-enter Mali, taking up a temporary home in Morocco. It isn’t a good practice to romanticize this struggle and diminish the treatment the band has faced in its lifetime; however, this history makes Tinariwen punk as fuck, even if that label doesn’t describe the music.
But, oh ya, this is a concert review.
At the beginning of June, Tinariwen swung through the Sinclair. Garcia Peoples opened the show. While I’m not sure what they’re studio albums sound like, their live set was quite jammy (the “Garcia” in their name might give that away), but in an indie sort of way. Big Built to Spill vibes.
After a brief introduction from a representative from Global Arts Live, Tinariwen took the stage, picking up their array of beautifully designed guitars and getting right into it. They played for about an hour and a half total, performing a few selections from their latest album Amatssou, which came out in May. By draping themselves in the traditional turban and veil attire customary to Tuareg culture that the band wears give off an undeniably captivating, mysterious look that surely mesmerizes Western audiences who are unfamiliar with such dress. There is something about Tinariwen – the music, the look, the backstory – that lends them a high degree of authenticity. They have helped elevate Saharan blues to a global level. Don’t miss them next time they’re around.
Check out our photos from the show below.
