Afel Bocoum: The Return of the Messenger

Showing

28 Jan - 28 Jan

Wed 28 Jan 7:30 PM

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Tickets

Concessions

£20.00 (Adult / Oedolion)

£19.00 (Job Seekers / Income Support / Ceiswyr Gwaith)

£19.00 (Child / Plentyn)

£19.00 (Disabled / Anabl)

£19.00 (Full Time Student 15+ / Myfyrwyr Llawn Amser 15+)

£19.00 (Senior 60+ / Pobl Hyn 60+)

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For over three decades, legendary musician Afel Bocoum stood alongside Mali's late great desert blues pioneer Ali Farka Touré as a guardian of Mali's Niger River musical soul. After Touré's mentorship, Bocoum launched a solo career with his 1999 debut Alkibar (The Messenger), earning international recognition and forging a creative partnership with Damon Albarn, with whom he collaborated on Mali Music (2002) and later projects.

Now, as one of the Sahel's most beloved artists and a de facto Malian ambassador for endangered instruments like the njurkel lute and njarka fiddle, he prepares a new album, Harber, with singles releasing from October 2025, accompanied by a rare 13-date UK tour as a trio in January 2026.

Afel Bocoum remains a bridge between worlds. He carries Mali's Niger River sound forward as a living force shaping tomorrow. The river remembers. In Bocoum's hands, it also dreams.

30 October - 1 November

Other Voices Cardigan 2025

Tickets now on sale!

Live show FAQs

Please see our booking FAQ section here, or contact our box office on boxoffice@mwldan.co.uk / 01239 621 200.

Testimonials

ROLLING STONE FRANCE

Afel Bocoum’s consoling voice is a call for hope, unity, and togetherness. He offers us light and joy, distilling an energy that gives us goosebumps."

DAMON ALBARN

Afel is such a wonderful artist. I love everything he's done

UNCUT

The gifted, unassuming Malian singer-guitarist Afel Bocoum... rules the roost with his assured vocals and hypnotic guitar stylings

THE GUARDIAN

Protégé of Ali Farka Toure, singer, composer and guitarist Afel Bocoum steps out of the shadows... [with] mesmerising vocals... reflecting the vast horizons, swirling colours and timelessness of the river Niger.