African sensations Staff Benda Bilili are one of the most unusual groups on the planet, and the band recently confirmed their first ever UK dates.
Hailing from Congo, Staff Benda Bilili are hardened street musicians. A group of paraplegics, the band have conquered their disability and extreme poverty to become world music sensations.
Gathered on street corners, the band have discovered a blend of near samba rhythms with the clipped funk of James Brown. Add in echoes of rhythm and blues, as well as some subtle reggae influences and you have a potent musical brew.
Staff Benda Bilili are one of the most unusual live experiences on the planet. Four senior guitarist sit on specially customised tricycles, occasionally dancing on the floor of the stage.
Pounding out frantic rhythms, the quartet are joined by a 17 year-old prodigy on a one-string electric lute he designed and built himself out of a tin can.
Well known in their native Congo, the band’s music has only recently come to light in Europe. A stunning live act, Staff Benda Bilili are set to release their debut album ‘Tres Tres Fort’ later this year.
Often viewed as the source of pity, the band’s music is incredibly joyous. In an interview with The Huffington Post the band claimed that “nothing is sad about our music”.
“Nothing is sad about our music. A white journalist once told us that our music sounded like “Blues”. I had no idea of what “Blues” was. I realized afterwards that he was refering to the melancholy within our music.”
“Even if you don’t understand the words, the beauty of the melody touches your soul. You can relate melancholy to sadness if you will. But in congolese “classic”music, (Franco, Tabu Ley, Wendo Kolosoy…) melancholy is everywhere even if the lyrics are “happy”… Our lyrics are always lyrics of hope though.”
Staff Benda Bilili are set to play the following UK tour date:
November
10 London Barbican
