Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff
Thurs 30 Aug
This Algerian desert rock band have been together for approximately a decade, in which time the music scene they loosely associate with has enjoyed a major spike of global recognition. Imarhan themselves have been fairly central to this, releasing their eponymous 2016 debut album on German label City Slang to glowing reviews; but they, like any band from the Tuareg region toting electric guitars and their own spin on the blues, are in the shadow of Tinariwen, Malian veterans and founders of a whole musical movement.
While Imarhan, understandably, wish to be assessed on their own terms – and this year’s follow-up LP, Temet, justifies that wish with a 10-song salvo of can-shaking psychedelic funk and tender vocal harmonising – their Tinariwen connections are closer than most. Frontman Moussa Ben Abderahmane temporarily replaced Tinariwen vocalist Ibrahim Ag Alhabib a few years back, when the latter had to protect his family and property during an outbreak of political violence; the change being born of necessity may have made it more palatable to fans. Either way, it can’t have hurt to showcase Abderahmane’s rich, rangy vocals, and hopefully it’ll nudge a few more punters into this gig, one of 10 UK dates for Imarhan on this tour.
Tickets: £12. Info: 029 2023 2199 (NG)