Tamikrest – Meeniyan Town Hall, Saturday October 29, 2022.
By Ian Bevington (Image by Col Uren)
Meeniyan Town Hall, ever culturally adept, last night presented Saharan Blues rebels Tamikrest (whose name translates both to “alliance” and “the future”).
‘Saharan blues’ music has occupied a certain upper echelon of coolness since Tinariwen first broke into the mainstream global consciousness with The Radio Tisdas Sessions, Amassakoul, and Aman Iman in the 2000s. Tamikrest’s body of work is an excellent illustration as to why that is: the substance and soul, the meaning, the skill, the familiarity of rock and roll, garage band meshed with the distinct vocal timbres and melodic lines that have since become iconic of Kel Tamasheq life.
Last night was an incredible journey, an insight of sorts, beginning with an acoustic traditional introduction that seamlessly led into a more upbeat trance rock affair.
The music of Tamikrest, intricate, and mesmeric rhythms for guitar and vocals (Ousmane Ag Mossa) and bass (Cheikh Ag Tiglia), and with the monophonic dulcet tones of a synthesised drone and percussion on calabash (Cedric “Momo” Maurel) took the Meeniyanites on a trip through the southern sub-Sahara that is home to the Kel Tamasheq nomads.
Ag Mossa added his electric Gibson Les Paul to the mix, and “Momo” Maurel shifted to the full drum kit. This was ‘garage band psychedelia’ at its best which compelled most Meeniyanites to get up and start moving to the rhythm.
Time, as it does so often, passed too quickly and, after a sold-out audience stomping and cheering called back the Kel Tamasheq rebel rockers, Tamikrest returned to the Meeniyan stage with a piece of music that delivered a mix of garage band punk, psychedelic Pink Floyd-influenced music which was both staggering and beautiful!
The highlight was Ousmane Ag Mossa advocating for peace unity and diversity, surely what the world needs now.