The Senegalese Amadou Diagne and the Italo-Sudanese Amira Kheir mirrored two different aspects of Africa and its music, but the audience was touched by the same artistic drive that invoked the invaluable cultural richness of the continent.

On a hypothetical road trip you would have to drive 4,000 miles to reach Khartoum in Sudan from Dakar in Senegal, but thanks to LIFEM (London International Festival of Exploratory Music) that distance was covered in just fifteen minutes, the time it took to have an interval drink and some snacks.

The third night of the sixth edition of the ethnic music event was a musical connection between the two African countries, and welcomed onto the Kings Place’s stage were two remarkable artists: the Senegalese Amadou Diagne followed by the Italo-Sudanese Amira Kheir. Their approaches to representing their individual visions of Africa and its music were different, but they were able to touch the audience with the same artistic drive that revealed the invaluable cultural richness of the continent.

Amadou Diagne introduced the evening, setting the mood of the show. Thanks to his mellow, charming voice, the rhythmic, pulsating character of his sound, a lively stage presence and a skilled accompanist he seduced the hall, juggling between guitar and percussion, narrating anecdotes and offering a sincere expression of the West African tradition.

Minutes later Amira Kheir traversed the length and breadth of the Saharan dunes, mirroring the soul of ‘her’ Sudan. The desert was also a protagonist in her gig. Most of the songs played were taken from Amira’s latest album ‘Alsahraa,’ and the interpretation of the title tune was undoubtedly one of the most emotional and imaginative moments of the evening. With the Sahara desert setting the scene, Amira’s voice and artistry to stole the show. She immediately created a bond with her audience. Sparing no words she explained the meaning behind each song. Referring to her impressive musicians as her ‘partners in crime’ she gave an intense and heartwarming performance, walking us through her short but intriguing discography.

Tunes from her first album ‘View from Somehwere’ and her latest recording alternated, demonstrating the musical path undertaken by the singer. Her songs have arguably become more sensitive; well-rounded arrangements enhanced by imaginative melodies to create inspired and suggestive atmospheres. The vitality of Camilo Menjura’s Latin-inflected guitar and the inventive drums played by Leandro Mancini were an invaluable support to Amira’s expressive voice. Meanwhile, the shaded tones of the double bass embraced by Michele Montolli and the virtuosity of Nadir Ramzy and his oud gave the compositions a refined and elegant inflection, awakening jazzy feelings that further amplified the qualities of the music. Amira Kheir’s performance at Kings Place was proof of her artistic maturity. On stage she showed not only an engaging passion for music and her roots, but also an enlightened artistic talent that revealed itself through her voice and her songwriting.

Preview: Femina Del Fuego – Fundraising Festival, Facebook Live Stream (Saturday 13th June 2020)


CALLING ALL FIERCE WOMXN and lovers of! Led and curated by one of our own DJ Sophie Darling, Rhythm Passport will be hosting a full day streaming festival on Saturday 13th June inspired by Sophie’s podcast series: Femina Del Fuego – Fundraiser Festival. Femina is Latin for Feminine and we’ve…

Artists: Amira Kheir , Coco Maria , Collectiva , DJ Flavya , Dj Ritu , Edna Martinez , Feed , Jelly Cleaver , Jess Bernardo , Let Drum Beat , Los Bitchos , Mafalda , Margot , Plumm , Rebecca Vasmant , Shunaji , Tenesha The Wordsmith , Yassassin , Yi Jia

London Gig Guide (July 2019)

At times, we are the first to lose track of how many exciting music events happen in London each month, so we have decided to offer you some sort of “public musical service”, meant for all the locals and passers-by, with the aim of suggesting where to listen to some…

Artists: Afrikan Boy , Afriquoi , Amadou & Mariam , Amira Kheir , Amy True , Blue Lab Beats , Bumi Thomas , Carthnage , Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Orchestra , Dj Jigüe , Elpeche , Emicida , Ezra Collective , Fatima , Femi And The Inrhythms , Gianni Denitto , Imperio Bamba , Kamaal Williams , Koroleko Moussa Dembele , La-33 , Lua Preta , Marcelo D2 , Mayra Andrade , Merca Bae , Nané , Naphta , Neneh Cherry , Onra , Renegade Brass Band , Sons Of Kemet , Stella Chiweshe , Tássia Reis , The Blind Boy of Alabam , The Bongo Hop , Xylouris White , Zara Mcfarlane

Event Review: Amira Kheir @ The Junction (Cambridge; Saturday 16th February 2019)

When Amira Kheir’s very first song at The Junction on Saturday night was greeted with joyous ululating from a refreshingly diverse crowd, the tone was set for a special gig. `Save those for later’ she promised, leading her band into the shimmering ‘Amwaj’ (Waves) from her latest album Mystic Dance….

Artists: Amira Kheir

Album Review: Amira Kheir – Mystic Dance [Sterns Music; 12th October 2018]

Amira Kheir is no stranger to making critically acclaimed albums, this latest instalment being her third full-length release for Sterns Music after View From Somewhere (2011), and Alsahraa (2014). Amira Kheir has a beautiful sound that smoothly blends the nostalgic tones of East Africa: North Sudan/Southern Egypt Nubian musical traditions,…

Artists: Amira Kheir