Konono No.1's "Congotronics" album introduced the world to the strange and spectacular electro-traditional mixtures which are being concocted in the suburbs of Kinshasa, Congo. World music, electronica and avant-rock aficionados have all been equally amazed by this otherworldly music, which has driven the international press to come up with some surprising comparisons (from Can and Krautrock to Jimi Hendrix, Lee Perry and proto-techno!...).
The band was founded back in the 1960s by Mingiedi Mawangu, a virtuoso of the likembé (a traditional instrument sometimes called "sanza" or "thumb piano", consisting of ...
Congotronics vs Rockers: first tour dates announced
The exceptional tour by the collaborative ensemble featuring Konono N°1, Deerhoof, Juana Molina, Kasai Allstars, Wildbirds & Peacedrums and Skeletons is taking shape!
A first string of dates have now officially been announced:
May 12: premiere at Cirque Royal, Brussels (BE), for the opening night of the Nuits Botanique festival
May 14: Madrid (ES)
June 26: Couleur Café, Brussels (BE)
June 30: Le Guess Who, Utrecht (NL)
July 2: Roskilde (DK)
July 3: HKW, Berlin (DE)
July 6: Metz (F)
July 9: Bataclan, Paris (F)
July 12: The Barbican, London (UK)
July 14: Benicassim (ES)
July 17: Vieilles Charrues Festival, Carhaix (F)
July 21: Paleo, Nyon (CH)
July 23: FMM Sines (PT)
July 30: Fuji Rock (JP)
More dates TBA soon
More info here