After the first few dates of what was supposed to be an extensive North American tour were cancelled, King Sunny Adé has announced the cancellation/indefinite postponement of the entire tour. Last month, his band suffered two blows when two members of his band, African Beats, were killed in a car accident. Drummer Gabriel Ayanniyi and percussionist Omo Olope while they were driving to a video shoot. While the band tried to regroup, the US State Department wouldn’t issue work visas for replacement musicians. […keep reading…]
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If you’re a Nigerian Afropop badass and your name isn’t Kuti, it’s probably King Sunny Adé, Know as the Chairman, the All Night Groove Master, and the Minister of Entertainment, Adé puts on a live show to rival the legendary Kuti clan, and while his music isn’t as politically charged, it’s just as poignant. This tour takes him to smaller venues than usual – World Café in Philadelphia, the Echoplex in LA, Le National in MTL – and creates a unique opportunity to be up close to the living legend. So much of what comes out of Africa musical is burdened by what it has to signify in a larger sense. KSA liberates himself from that pressure by just entertaining… and the extensive itinerary below gives him plenty of chances to do it.
The first Lilith Fair may have had to prove its viability, but the return of Sarah McLachlan‘s touring lady music festival has to prove its relevance. If the first batch of line-ups is any indication, that won’t be a problem. McLachlan again headlines, but she’s hardly the only mega-star. Sheryl Crow, Mary J., Kelly Clarkson, and Erykah Badu join her, as do country stars Sugarland. But get this – acts like Marina and the Diamonds, Lucy Shwartz, La Roux, and even Lights are rounding out the bill. Not only is Lilith relevant, it’s still the rare event that’s as appealing to your mom as it is to you. Some dates go on sale March 27th, others not until April 3, and most of the cities have yet to be announced. The full list of artists is below. Oh, and guess who’s on the list? That’s right, our friend Ke$ha! Maybe she’ll bring her vocoder on tour with her. Maybe Norah Jones will duet with her! Maybe get alcohol poisoning and have to cancel a bunch of dates only to be replaced by Katy Perry!
If you haven’t heard Céu‘s Vagarosa, the Brazilian’s singer’s 2009 sophomore album, it’s time to get seduced. Of course, there are the obvious comparisons to Bebel Gilberto – both women rework Brazilian musical traditions with contemporary, often electronic production. But while Gilberto heralds Rio’s bright colors and sunshine in her songs, Céu is from Sao Paolo and has an edgier, more nighttime palette. She doesn’t tour much, so this is a brief but good opportunity to see her.