Review: Mdou Moctar at The Orange Peel

It has been remarkable to witness the ascent of African acts overcoming daunting obstacles to tour successfully in the United States. Among them, Mahamadou "Mdou Moctar" Souleymane stands tall, alongside Saharan rock luminaries like Bombino, Imarhan, and Tamikrest. Drawing comparisons to legends like Jimi Hendrix and Ali Farka Touré, the Tuareg guitar-shredder has carved his own path, establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with.

At The Orange Peel on June 9, Moctar and his bandmates — guitarist Ahmoudou Madassane, bassist Mikey Coltun, and drummer Souleymane Ibrahim — showcased tunes from their latest album, Funeral For Justice, with electrifying urgency. The adoring crowd was mesmerized by the band's relentless rhythms and expansive psychedelia, infused with the raw energy of D.C punk. 

Moctar’s dizzying finger-picking and explosive solos were undoubtedly the central focus, but the masterful percussion of Souleymane Ibrahim was equally captivating. The energetic drummer was locked in, firing off rapid propulsive beats and flawlessly adjusting to time signature changes.

Despite singing in the Tamasheq dialect, the Nigerien frontman's impassioned political lyrics transcended language barriers, resonating deeply with the audience. The connection speaks to the intoxicating vibrancy of Mdou Moctar’s music and suggests his best is yet to come. 

(Photos by Jonny Leather)

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