Tony Allen

Known as one of the founding fathers of Afrobeat, and considered one of the best drummers of all time, Tony Allen in concert is one of those once in a lifetime experiences that you get to tell your friends and family about for years to come. When I told my brother I was going to see him at La Vilette Numerique in Paris, in 2011, his first words were; "If I could pick one 70s artist from my childhood to watch live, then it's the one you're about to see."

His words may seem dramatic, but Tony Allen is every bit the legend live as on paper. What won me over more than anything is his smile. He completely disarms you with his good nature, and his humble appearance, so when he starts playing the drums, you're almost taken aback that so much raw skill could come from someone so relaxed. His beats are different from anything you've ever heard, and he brings so much life to the music that you can't help but feel the crowd become infected with the energy he's giving off.

Hearing his tracks at La Vilette Numerique really brought me back to classic Afrobeat tunes that I would listen to as a child. He evoked so much emotion with his one performance that I couldn't help be transported, and the only thing I regret is not being able to stay and listen for longer.