Etran de L’Aïr

Etran de L’Aïr ("the stars of Aïr", referring to the mountain range in northern Niger, their homeland) is a collective made up of brothers and cousins.

Founded in the mid-1990s, the group initially performed at weddings and parties in Agadez, their hometown, with a rudimentary orchestra: a single acoustic guitar, calabashes struck with sandals as percussion...

Over the years, they adapted, amplifying the acoustic guitar with a transducer microphone, acquiring electric guitars and other drum elements.

Following in the footsteps of the legendary Tinariwen, formed in the 1980s in Mali, Etran de L’Aïr blends traditional Tamasheq chants, electric guitars, and hypnotic rhythms. However, their music breaks conventions and stands out from the typical Tuareg style.

Incorporating a myriad of influences, from North Malian blues to Congolese soukous, not forgetting Hausa bar bands, the group captures the pan-African sound of Agadez and embodies both the energy and musical richness of this desert metropolis.

1" and "Agadez", they return with "100% Sahara Guitar", a project with sunny sounds, driven by vibrant melodies and collective intensity.

Through their lyrics, the members of Etran de L’Aïr convey messages of peace and social cohesion, for example, denouncing forced marriages and defending women's rights.

They remind us that music can transmit a message while remaining deeply rooted in the celebration and exuberance of family festivities. Because above all, this music is made for dancing.