Songhoy Blues are fresh back from a run of ecstatically received shows in America, including several gigs at this year’s SxSW Festival in Austin, Texas. They Will have To Kill Us First, a film featuring Songhoy Blues which documents the current struggle faced by musicians in Mali, also received its premiere at this year’s SxSW Festival. The band have just announced their biggest London show to date at Koko in November to follow up on past sold out shows at Oslo in Hackney and Village Underground.

“They have all the makings of African-rock crossover heroes – 5/5”

The Guardian

Hailing from the town of Gao in north-eastern Mali, they came together in Bamako naming themselves in celebration of their displaced Songhoy people and culture. Their break came in September 2013 when French music manager Marc-Antoine Moreau was in the city to scout for musical talent on behalf of Africa Express and subsequently the band were invited to record a song with Nick Zinner of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Their debut album, Music In Exile, also produced by Zinner, was released to widespread acclaim in February of this year, and is set for release in the US on Atlantic Records in the spring. They have announced details of the release of a new single Soubour, out on Transgressive Records, May 11th.

“Thrilling and vital young African band – 4/5”

Mail on Sunday

“A masterpiece, blending American guitar licks with Malian groove – 8/10”

NME

Songhoy Blues:

• Facebook