Though it's hard (futile, in fact -- ask any world music marketer) to lump world music listeners into a group, one constant among them seems to be a real love for live music. There's something really special about seeing international and ethnic music live and in person, but every once in awhile, there's a little something extra that makes it a particularly special night. Whatever it is -- the artist, the venue, or just the proper alignment of the stars -- there are certain performances that just burn a hole in your memory.
My absolute favorite performances of all time often include artists whose names I don't know -- musette accordion players in the Tinariwen (on a big stage at a festival with thousands of people), Balkan Beat Box (crammed onto a tiny stage in a tiny club), and LadysmithBlack Mambazo (at Carnegie Hall) all stand out.
What's the best concert you've ever seen? Or the one that has the most meaning to you? Share your experiences with your fellow readers (and if you took one, post a picture!) -- it's always so much fun to read other people's stories, so go ahead and tell us!
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Globalfest is my favorite event each year in NYC. My favorite year was probably the year I discovered Lura and Daby Toure there. I have since presented both in concert in Delaware. Habib Koite’s show in Arden 2 years ago is right up there! Her returns to Arden on March 11.
Habib Koité, Vusi Mahlasela and Dobet Gnahoré at Lisner Auditorium in DC a couple of years ago as part of the Putumayo Presents Acoustic Africa tour was stratospheric. I was watching the show with Israeli artist Idan Raichel who had put on an amazing show himself earlier that night at the 9:30 Club, and his jaw was hanging open watching Dobet tear the stage apart with her unreal dance moves.
Novalima also put on an unreal show this summer at Parima in Burlington, Vermont. Perfect blend of tradition and modern grooves.
But, the greatest, most magical shows of all time in the history of the universe were Andy Palacio & the Garifuna Collective on Garifuna Settlement Day, November 19, 2008 under a tent on a basketball court in Dangriga, Belize and the next night in the outdoor patio of King Kassava bar in Hopkins, the small coastal village where Andy’s album “Watina” was recorded. I was with 15 journalists from around the world who we brought to learn about Garifuna music and culture, and they were all blown away. The music, the environment, the people, everything was magical. We had no idea at the time that Andy would die suddenly just two months later. Makes me cry just thinking about it.
Ok, full disclosure, every single one of these artists (except Vusi) are signed to my label Cumbancha…but I wouldn’t sign them if I didn’t love them, now would I?