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Biography
Ibrahim Ag Alhabib, who after witnessing the murder of his father had become a child living in the refugee camps in Algeria, founded the group. Fascinated by the guitar, he fashioned one out of a tin can, stick and bicycle brake wire until he was given a guitar from a local Arab man. During the late 70s he joined fellow musicians in the Tuareg rebel community and formed a group with Alhassane Ag Touhami, Inteyeden Ag Ablil and Liya Ag Ablil while in Tamanrasset, Algeria. Together they would play at parties and weddings in 1979.
In 1985 they met fellow musicians Keddou Ag Ossade, Mohammed Ag Itlale, Sweiloum Abouhadid and Abdallah Ag Alhousseyni and they formed a collective now known as Tinariwen. They made songs about issues facing Tuareg people, and started to record music with the intention of making the music free for anyone who could provide a cassette tape, which ended up being widely traded around the Sahara region. In January 1991, when the Tamanrasset Accords peace agreement was signed, the musicians left the military to concentrate solely on music.
By 1998 the group came to the attention of French world music ensemble Lo’Jo, and in 2001 the groups joined together for a performance in France at the Festival Au Desert. The appearance brought more attention to Tinariwen and consequently the group made more appearances at different festivals throughout 2001. That same year they also recorded their first CD entitled “The Radio Tisdas Sessions,” serving as the start of their successful career.
In 2011 they released their fifth studio album entitled “Tassili,” and had made an appearance at the 2010 Fifa World Cup in South Africa. “Tassili” won the award for Best World Music Album at the 54th Grammy Awards, followed be a huge tour and television appearances.
Live reviews
A wonderful show spanning their work from Aman Iman to their latest - Elwan. A real treat to see founder and leader Ibrahim performing with the group - he has not always been able to make their US tours. All the musicians are first rate, and the rhythm so intoxicating even this white boy had to dance...go see them!
gospodinolson
My husband and I had a wonderful time at the Tinariwen concert on 9/21/19, Words can’t explain how amazing this concert was. I will follow tinariwen all over the world just to get that amazing feeling again. Such beautiful music and band Tinariwen I will see you again soon.
tracie-love-jones
it was a great concert!!! Such beautiful and inspirational music. People were happy and dancing and the sound quality was very good and clear. Tinariwen is a real jewel of World Music and it is good to see that they keep their roots and traditions with joy and pride.
Karlangas
I wanted to see them live for the last 15 years and they didn't disappoint! They even had the original member and founder of the group, the guitar icon, Ibrahim Ag Alhabib, playing with them! Incredible show. They truly are the Guitar Gods!
justin-montoya
Great live performance! Full of personality and presence! The members are all very skilled musicians and they all clearly loved their work. Their subtle sense of humour was also appreciated. I highly recommend the experience.
ArthurDentDK
Just mind-blowing. Their outfit, their music, the atmosphere they instantly create. They know what they do and bring you to their world. Just have to close eyes to feel in the desert. Definitely the Desert Boys.
Thefunkgodfather
Genuine, calm, rhytmic, loved it. athmosphere fantastic, stage people more than nice, audience excited. good dance. music overwhelming. for all who love sahara rhytms. or whatever we may call them. loved it.
mojca-cesnik
Just as strong live as on their studio albums. They refrained from putting on a big show and completely focused on their music to mesmerize the audience. A hypnotising experience that takes you far away
noah-g
It was an amazing show, with very positive vibrations! This music makes you groove. It is about peace, love and understanding between civilizations. Hope Trump or Lepen could hear it.
Mowax
