Rokia Traore
Last night, I went to Paris’ famed Olympia theater to see Rokia Traoré in concert. I went to her show never having heard her music before, and not knowing at all what to expect. From the moment the lights went down and Traoré made her entrance, the crowd started cheering and I knew from the fan reaction that it would be a good show.
The best thing that I can say about Traoré is that she is a true performer. She gave herself over to the music for every song, and she held nothing back from the audience. Her performance began in a more soulful tone, utilizing elements from her native Mali. It did not stay this way for long however, soon morphing into a mix of the modern (her band’s use of various guitars, drums, and percussion instruments) and the ancient (her traditional ‘griot’ or storytelling lyrics).
Traoré has an energy about her, an energy that she transmits to her audience during a performance, especially when she dances (as she does frequently). I could tell after the first song why it was that Traoré’s music had become so popular in so many cultures: her unique blend of soul and modernity, her energy, and her genuine pleasure to perform.
After leaving the concert last night I was energized and pleasantly surprised at having discovered a new artist whose performance I enjoyed. If Traoré ever makes a concert stop in your town I advise you to go, if for nothing else than to experience something different.
Click to view her artists page on FanShake:
http://www.fanshake.com/artists/rokia-traore/detail/
Click to demand a concert of Rokia Traoré in your hometown:
http://www.fanshake.com/demands/new/?who=Rokia%20Traor%C3%A9&where=