Mali musician Vieux Farka Touré Tours India

Vieux Farka Toure at Tote in Mumbai | Photo: Blackberrys Sharp Nights

Mali musician Vieux Farka Touré, who performed at the last two editions of Blackberrys Sharp Nights - Masters Of World Music in Bengaluru and Pune, brought the songs of rebellion to stage for performances at Tote in Mumbai, which could only be described as inspirational. Backed by a live band and singing in his native language, Touré combines everything from blues, Malian folk, rock, reggae and soul in music. Supported by Rajeev Raja in Mumbai, each performance was a mix of soul, sufi-rock and west African rhythms. Said the singer on stage during his performance, “Music is a personal expression and there are many things that inspire me in today’s world that I put in my music. My music digs deeper into the past and pushes harder into the future. Music possesses power and it affords power to those who search for meaning. When audiences worldwide encounter world music a sense of liberation often occurs, and I am thrilled to witness the same in India. I feel a bond here.”

Touré’s last album Mon Pays which released 2013, explored the politics of his home country, Mali. Known as much for his outspokenness as for her powerful vocals, Touré was invited to perform at the FIFA World Cup in 2010. Since then, he has been touring relentlessly across the world.

Blackberrys Sharp Nights - Masters Of World Music ft Vieux Farka Toure

December 3rd, 2014 – Blue Frog, Pune

December 6th, 2014 – High Ultra Lounge, Bengaluru

December 10th, 2014 – Tote, Mumbai

Listen to “Bissa:”