Festival guide: Explosive shows
We know from experience that many people come to Oslo World to have their minds blown by incredible live bands they may never have heard before. Very special things can happen on nights like these, and here are two hot tips: psychedelic afro-funk with punk energy from Soweto, and electric voodoo soul from Togo. But make sure to also check out bands like Imarhan, Twenty One Children and Dubioza Kolektiv!
Nana Benz du Togo
Nasjonal Jazzscene
28 October
Hard-hitting, minimalist, catchy and deep – in the music of Nana Benz, voodoo traditions meet the modern dancefloor, with a result that makes it impossible to stand still. This will be one of the hottest and most danceable nights of this year’s festival.
The members of Nana Benz met at a musical workshop. They had never met before, but quickly discovered that they were on the same wavelength. The two percussionists played instruments made from recycled materials. The basslines were created using two PVC pipes (Gazé Tuyau), while a suitcase that had belonged to one member’s grandfather – “a voodoo travelling salesman who visited the four corners of the earth” – served as the bass drum. The organic groove, infused with sub-bass and polyrhythms, supports the vocals of the electro-soul preachers, accompanied by a small vintage Korg keyboard. It’s a fairly simple setup, but an immensely powerful one. Dive into their latest album, Sé Nam, for a taste of their infectious sound – and come back for more in October.
Read more and buy tickets HERE!
BCUC
Nasjonal Jazzscene
29 October
Few concerts in Oslo World’s history have hit harder, or delivered a greater musical shock, than BCUC from Soweto, South Africa, did at Nasjonal Jazzscene a few years ago. BCUC – Bantu Continua Uhuru Consciousness – combine funk, hip-hop consciousness and punk-rock energy rooted in Soweto, South Africa. The band began rehearsing in a shipping container just a stone’s throw from the church where Desmond Tutu organised the escape of some of the most wanted anti-apartheid activists in Soweto. From there, they have grown into a celebrated and deeply respected band, capable of forging an intense connection with audiences around the world.
BCUC see their music as a hedonistic trance, but also as a weapon for political and spiritual liberation. They address the harsh realities faced by the voiceless, particularly the situation of uneducated workers at the bottom of the social ladder. And they do all of this through truly extraordinary performances. In 2022, they perhaps played the best concert at Oslo World that year. We’ve been waiting for an opportunity to bring them back – and now it’s finally happening.
Read more and buy tickets HERE!
