Tinariwen - Saharan Blues (in Sofia, Bulgaria) - A gig review

Just the previous day, I attended a concert taking place in the National Palace of Culture, which I found rather curious, to say the least. Hall 3 presented us with an uncommon aesthetic and a unique sound in the face of the band Tinariwen.

Through these thrice awarded Grammy winners, I discovered the exotic art of “desert blues”, mixing in traditional Tuareg music with a Western rock style. The influence of the musicians was more expansive then expected, with an engaged and surprisingly cosmopolitan audience having presented their appreciation for the art.

The moment the music started, the spectators were ignited and the atmosphere erupted, with the bass and drums as the trigger. In minutes the wannabe socially acceptable European climate melted into a tribal-esque untamed ritual. Spectators were seemingly possessed by the spirits of the desert, howling like the winds and moving with the flow of sand ripples.

The previously peaceful venue of randomly comprised people became as one in a wild yet synchronized frenzy, resembling a performance of shadow puppetry in the dark.

The event was not dependant on enthusiasm only, with the musicians themselves weaving an acoustic (with electric instruments nevertheless) hypnotic pattern that captivates the audience straight away.

It is a testament to the ability of the band to touch the soul of the venue without most people understanding a word of the lyrics. They opened the night with a sound reminiscent of The Doors, carrying the hypnotic, psychedelic weight of a track like "The End."

At its core, what Tinariwen plays is pure blues—not just rock, and certainly not standard ethno-music—but a distinct, haunting Eastern desert blues that belongs entirely to them. It is not everyday a hybrid between blues and Arabic rhythm rises on stage for the entertainment of a small legion of music enjoyers and be as well-received.

It is nice to see the halls of the National Palace of Culture open its doors for something as unconventional and intriguing as Tinariwen. A raw and authentic, yet accessible and fun experience, catching the attention of an audience I personally did not expect and putting on a show I will remember for a while.

Thanks for watching!