DVD Monthly

Tinariwen - Live In London

A fascinating back-story is essential in the music industry, and Tinariwen's story is easily one of the most compelling in an industry built on pre-fabricated band histories and preposterous tall tales. Tinariwen (roughly translated as 'Empty Places') formed back in 1982 in one of Colonel Gaddafi's Tuareg rebel camps. As the murky Libyan political situation rumbled on during the late 70s-early 80s, Gaddafi sought to round up Saharan nomads and train them to be his mercenaries. Tinariwen originally formed to entertain their fellow camp-dwellers, but the band decided to pursue music full time in 1996 when the tension eased sufficiently. After shrugging off the initial lukewarm response to their exotic brew the band took the World Music festival circuit by storm, going on to land guest spots at Glastonbury and 'Later... With Jools Holland'. Since then they have supported the Rolling Stones, and been proclaimed a key influence on Coldplay, by none other than Chris Martin!

Whereas a band like the Stones have carefully cultivated a rebel image over the years, Tinariwen are the real deal - these guys were genuine rebels at the sharp end of a dangerous conflict! This concert DVD (filmed at the Shepherd's Bush Empire last December) captures the band in typically thrilling form. With their dusty, loose-limbed grooves and ragged electric guitars Tinariwen whip up a sonic sandstorm that takes on a spectral, transcendental quality as the set progresses. They are a raw, powerful band whose dazzling, hypnotic quality effortlessly transcends language barriers. Befitting its status as their first ever concert DVD, Tinariwen have chucked in a fascinating grab-bag of special features to bolster the package. These include extensive interviews with the group's distinctive founder Ibrahim Ag Alhabib about the groups absorbing (at times disturbing) history, featurettes and even a guide how to make your own 'Shesh' headgear. (link)