In The Agadez Folders: Live at Sultan’s Palace, Mdou Moctar perform a 45-minute set in the city centre of Agadez.
Mdou Moctar have today (14 August) released a recording of the first of a series of live sessions they held last year around Agadez.
Fronted by Mahamadou Souleymane (also known as Mdou Moctar), the band are known for their blend of rock and desert blues from the Tuareg region in the Sahara.
The entrancing 45-minute set took place at the King’s Palace in the city centre, with the Agadez Grand Mosque visible as a backdrop. Filmed while they were finishing their acclaimed album Funeral For Justice (2024), the four-piece called upon local Tuaregs to help facilitate the show.
Plans of having up to 50 camels show up were discussed, with the set eventually featuring around 20 alongside a spontaneous crew of dancers and swordsmen.
“On our last day together in Agadez, we showed up to the Sultan’s palace, set up, and then waited around for a few hours. Was the show gonna happen?” remembers producer and bassist Mikey Coltun. “Maybe a few hours later, 15-20 men riding camels showed up. I didn’t count because I was so shocked Mdou was able to pull it off.
“When we started playing, Tuaregs dressed in traditional Agadez clothing armed with hand drums started dancing and drumming. There were even a couple friends of ours who showed up with some swords and performed a traditional dance together as we played. This was all totally unplanned. Mdou, Ahmoudou, Souleymane and I are all wearing the signature Mdou Moctar colors – Tuareg purple mixed with white, which is the same colour of the Mdou Moctar bird symbol.”
The film lands in anticipation of their upcoming European tour, which kicks off this Friday with stops including End of the Road and Manchester Psych Fest.
Watch the special live performance below and read our recent interview with Mdou Moctar for Issue 154 here.
