Vieux Farka Toure playing Queen Elizabeth Hall

Having sold out Queen Elizabeth Hall back in February 2012, Malian singer/ songwriter/ guitarist Vieux Farka Touré, dubbed by many the 'Hendrix of the Sahara', returns to London next week to showcase his brand new album 'Mon Pays'.

He will be accompanied by Valery Assouan on bass guitar and Jean-Baptiste Gbadoe on drums. Support comes from Senegalese kora player Diabel Cissokho who is part of the great line of Cissokho griots. Diabel has performed with Baaba Maal, Kandia Kouyate, Pee Wee Ellis, Nuru Kane, Daby Balde, Omar Pene, Abdou Diop, Femi Kuti, Cheikh Lo, Manu Dibango, Justin Adams and many more, and now fronts his own vibrant band.

Live in London:
Vieux Farka Touré + Diabel Cissokho (support)
Tuesday, 24 September, 7:30pm - Queen Elizabeth Hall
Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX. Tickets: £20/15
http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whatson/vieux-farka-touré-77392

"I wanted to pay homage to our musical heritage," says a reflective Vieux Farka Touré. Being that his native Mali has been splintered by territorial fighting between Tuareg and Islamic rebels since January 2012, his new album, Mon Pays (Six Degrees Records), is devoted to reminding the world about the beauty and culture of his homeland. "For me it is a statement for the world that this land is for the sons and daughters of Mali, not for Al Qaeda or any militants. This land is for peace and beauty, rich culture and tolerance. This is our heritage, what we must always fight to protect in any way that we can. For me, that means making music that reminds the world of who we are."

Translating as "My Country," this predominantly acoustic undertaking had been planned before the invasions began. Inspired by his work with Israeli pianist and vocalist Idan Raichel, guitarist/ singer/ songwriter Touré initially went into a Bamako studio to honour the acoustic blues tradition of Northern and Southern Mali. Since that time, Mon Pays transformed into an artifact of cultural preservation.