Staff Editor on October 14th, 2019

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Tuareg sonic alchemists Tinariwen — the seven-member northern Malian group finishing up the North American leg of the tour behind their new album “Amadjar” — visited the Mayan Theater on Sunday night and wasted no time enthralling the crowd. The desert bluesmen started with “Takount,” one of six songs they played from the new album. The other half of the set was spent rapturously touring the band’s catalog dating back six albums to 2007. As incense swirled through the air, a vibrant crowd of mixed ages and ethnicities rejoiced in their sound. There were even a good number of children present, further contributing to this night feeling more like a family gathering than concert. Tinariwen closed the night with the brisk “Assàwt” from 2017.

Lonnie Holley opened the night with a projection of one of his paintings behind the band as he played in his signature style of free-flowing composition.

Photos by Jazz Shademan