Tinariwen

I'm pretty sure Tinariwen are the first Touareg to play Cambridge. World acts have appeared here, of course, but this is the first Berber band.

The band's style has acquired the nickname of desert blues, but it's heart is in the poetry and history of a nomadic people.

The sound reflects many of the cultures that this travelling people have come into contact with. The core of the music is undoubtably Arabian, but there are also indian overtones contained within the style.

They've been hits at festivals right across Europe as well as Africa, and have performed at Womad and Rosskilde amongst many others.

Their sound has contributed to arise in awareness of Touareg and Tinariwen and others can often be heard as part of the mix in an increasing number of dance tunes. Influences have gone the other way with guitar and bass sometimes added to the more traditional instrument line up.

This is refreshingly different and should be pretty spectacular live.