Héritage Sur Scène

One band that I will sadly not see live in concert this year is Songhoy Blues.

Sometimes it's the timing, sometimes it's finances, sometimes it's other Clan K commitments, sometimes it's a combination of all three.

Songhoy Blues are playing in the bowels of the good ship Thekla in Bristol on Saturday night. Landing as it does in the middle of a week where I have a very special night out with some new old friends (I'll explain in a follow up post) and next week where, all being well and good, I'll get to not one but two gigs, another outing was just a stretch too far.

A shame as fourth album Héritage came out in January and it's a satisfying departure from the sound of their previous three.

Band member Garba Toure has previously said, "We can't stay in the traditional aesthetic of our grandparents; that was another time. Besides, we love electric guitars too much".

However, as the album title implies, this is Songhoy Blues' take on "the traditional aesthetic", electric swapped for acoustic. It's a more contemplative album, for sure, but the passion still burns.

I'll be sorry to miss Songhoy Blues, but you needn't do the same, as tickets are still available for Birmingham (Wednesday 4th), London (Friday 6th) and Bristol (Saturday 7th).