36TH EDITION

FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL NUITS D’AFRIQUE

Where African, Caribbean and Latin American music and cultures come together!

The 36th edition of Festival international Nuits d’Afrique heads into a brand-new musical adventure with 150 concerts and activities that will take us to the very heart of African, Caribbean and Latin American music and cultures. From the big names in world music, internationally and here at home, to the new generation of artists bringing new energy and diversity to the music scene, everyone has been impatiently waiting for the full-scale return of the Nuits d’Afrique de Montréal. This year, over 700 artists from 30 countries are getting ready to amaze festival goers from July 12 to 24 during the 8 series of concerts at various indoor venues, and from July 19 to 24, at the Festival’s outdoor location at the Quartier des spectacles (expending from Ontario Street to Saint-Catherine Street).

“Nuits d’Afrique exists to bring artists and their audiences together. It fosters a meeting of cultures, sharing, very simply, through music. More than ever, we need to get closer to one another, to be together. I am also extremely touched to see the Festival develop, to see that its mission is resonating more and more.” Lamine Touré, the Festival’s president and founder

INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS IN CONCERT
Among the eagerly awaited world-renowned stars returning this year, the charismatic Tiken Jah Fakoly (Ivory Coast) will kick off the festival’s 36th edition at the official opening concert at MTELUS on July 13, 2022. Then, on July 19, 2022, the free outdoor concert programming will be launched with the captivating Afrobeat of Femi Kuti & The Positive Force (Nigeria), accompanied by his son Made Kuti, promising an electrifying show from the TD – Radio-Canada stage.

A leading light in this new generation of musicians is one who is making waves among the young people of Africa and beyond, with 2 million YouTube followers! On July 24, 2022, during her Montreal premiere, Yemi Alade (Nigeria) will close the Festival on the TD – Radio-Canada stage with a good dose of Afropop with her new Afrobeat and highlife.

Among the many favourite international artists to discover, festival goers will be treated to several major concert premieres, on both indoor and outdoor stages, including the flagship Maloya band Lindigo (Réunion); the fascinating and multi-talented Fabiana Cozza (Brazil); Ghetto Kumbé, virtuosos of the Afro-Colombian electro scene; the Gnawa African groove of Moktar Gania & Gwana Soul (Morocco); Senegal’s rising star, Cheikh Ibra Fam; the latest Kuduro music sensation, Pongo (Angola); and even the bohemian music of Israel’s Pulkes Band.

RYTHMES AU FÉMININ
Women have always been an integral part of the festival but now there is a new series, Rythmes au féminin, devoted to these fantastic artists, with performances every evening at 7:00pm on the new LOTO QUÉBEC stage, at the new Esplanade Tranquille. This series features both local and international artists, all bearers of their cultures and proud of their roots while breaking new ground.

• OKAN (Cuba-ON) A sublime tribute to Cuban music with rich arrangements of Caribbean, African and Latin accents. | July 19

• Manou Gallou (Ivory Coast) Afro-groove that pushes past the boundaries between genres to deliver a blend of traditional rhythms, rock, jazz, blues, Afrobeat and funk. | July 20

• Joyce N’Sana (Congo-QC) Afrobluehop is an explosive cocktail that never ceases to astonish audiences with its blend of reggae, gospel, hip-hop, jazz and Afro-blues. | July 21

• Dobet Gnahoré (Ivory Coast) An Afro-electro sound studded with catchy melodies that combine Moroccan rhythms, coupé-décalé, house and highlife. | July 22

• Lara Klaus (Brazil-QC) With rhythms at times muted or energetic, a broad range of Brazilian percussion instruments divinely integrated into the music of her native northeastern Brazil. | July 23

• Naxx Bitota (DR Congo-QC) Flirting with soukous and modern Afropop for a very hip and modern sound.| July 24

LOCAL ARTISTS… PURE, RAW TALENT
The music scene here in Montreal and across the country is rich and diverse, with many artists also making their mark internationally. On the TD – Radio-Canada stage, festival-goers will be treated to Wesli (Haiti-QC), singing in the twoubadou style, Ramon Chicharron (Colombia-QC) featuring music from his new album and the re-imagined calypso of Kobo Town (Trinidad-ON).

INDOOR CONCERTS
The indoor concerts are presented throughout eight theme-based series to guide festival-goers in their concert choices and discoveries. These concert series put the spotlight on the latest in world music, the most compelling voices, the trendiest styles and rootsiest sounds that inspires them. Every night at each of the 5 venues, MTELUS, Théâtre Fairmount, Le Gesù, Le Ministère and, of course, Club Balattou, audiences are treated to a new musical experience.

For the full list of concerts and events visit: www.festivalnuitsdafrique.com