"Uplifting, moving, entrancing and, above all, life-affirming.” The Sun (UK)

"Dusty, wild and wonderful." Mojo

From the depths of the Sahara desert comes the band that is rocking music festival stages today with its infectious guitar rhythms, haunting vocals and distinct sound that capture the history and geography of North Africa.

Formed in 1979 by legendary guitarist and singer Ibrahim Ag Alhabib, this band of Tuareg nomads-turned-rock musicians forged their music in exile from their homeland of Mali, resulting in songs that sing of the longing for lost homes and families, the struggle for political and cultural freedom, and the rigours of everyday life in the desert.

With their music fast becoming the soundtrack for a whole generation of exiled Touareg youth, Tinariwen has won worldwide recognition, bagging the BBC World Music Award in 2005 and gaining fans and collaborators such as Robert Plant and Carlos Santana.

Marie Planeille