Amadou & Mariam Played Webster Hall

Of the many concerts last night, I ended up at the Amadou & Mariam show at Webster Hall. I’ve been wanting to see this duo for a long time, and was really excited to finally witness their awesome live show. Amadou & Mariam are a couple from Mali, Africa that happen to be blind. They also happen to make amazing, danceable, joyous music. Their 2005 Manu Chao-produced album Dimanche a Bamako put them on the international map, and their new album, Welcome to Mali, has gathered them many more fans around the globe–so much so that they sold out Webster Hall and are opening for Blur at their reunion show in Hyde Park on July 3 and opening for Coldplay during the month of July on their tour.

The point is, they rocked it last night. Most of the songs were from the new album, but they threw in some old favorites as well. They both looked extremely regal in their beautiful African clothes and matching sunglasses. Amadou is one heck of a guitar player and he ripped through a few awesome solos as Mariam surveyed the crowd, or lovingly patted Amadou’s head (pretty much the sweetest thing I have ever seen). Their backup band was intensely talented, with multiple percussionists, a bassist, someone on keys I think, and two gorgeous backup singers/dancers. They played for nearly two hours, including a 3-song encore.

All images: Devorah Klein