Hailing from Mali, the 7-piece band (made entirely of family members) brought with them a vast range of traditional instruments to play their brand of sing-along Malian rock and roll. Chief among these instruments was the ngoni, an African instrument similar to the lute. Featuring 4 ngoni players, percussion players with various, unusual drums and a female vocalist all dressed in brilliant emerald Malian dress, the crowd was already fascinated before the band had finished setting up.

Then the band started, weaving a passionate and organic web of melody, rhythm and harmony. Bassekou then entered, bringing an even fuller sound of peace and praise with him along with a brilliant smile. From here, the female vocalist led with an utterly earthly voice, born of this world’s sorry and joy but of incredible beauty. With the chorus of the band adding reinforcement, the song welled up to its climax.

Second song started with a chorus of all members to start, an spine-tingling harmonious choir. The sound of the band was irresistibly happy. You can’t help but feel that every player is a master of their instrument, such was the fast fingerwork and melody. Third song opened with a bass solo, the player showing he could match any of the higher register ngonis before Bassekou skilfully inserted his own solo into the gaps left. Then with a funky breakdown, the song switched to such radiant joy you could almost feel the next day’s sun and most would’ve been happy to hear the band until then.

Bassekou took the mike, talking to the audience in French and English, and trying to convince everybody to come visit him in Mali. The stately pace soon gave way to a rocking and grooving tune, everybody’s movement seemingly just important as the music. The band was genuinely laughing and smiling throughout the set, taking pure enjoyment in their chance and in the communication with others, broadly beaming at the reception their Japanese phrases got. It’s this simple happiness and the band’s ability to spread it that makes them so special.