Tinariwen

One of the best shows I've seen in a long time. I knew they would be good but ... WOW. Amazing groove, amazing sound, great jams and great energy. Also blown away by Sophie Hunger - the opening act. Hadn't heard of her before but she was very impressive.

Once again Tinariwen has produced a fantastic album and played an even better show. Their soulful blues and arid sound produces an environment of longing but their conviction keeps your soul refreshed like a Saharan oasis. Tinariwen is, without a doubt, the greatest band on tour anywhere.

Seeing Tinariwen is joyous!!! Their music is truly divine.

I dont know the name of the opening act but must say, they were better then the main act. Tinariwen was light on music, light on band members and really dint appear to be interested in playing the El Ray. With the exception of the back up singer, no one moved, the songs that I stayed for were all low key and mono tone. The female singer should have come-shes quite a show on her own from what I have seen on Youtube. Anyway, I can say I saw them-outside of that, nothing to write home about.

I decided to go to this show because it was advertised that TV on the Radio would be playing. They did play, but it was like to jam with some other band for like 10 minutes. Fun, but I would not have gone if I knew it would be like that. Otherwise, the other bands were good, Flee came out and jammed, and all the musicians were real good, but Tinariwen's music was waay too repetitive.

Our family got together for this show and had an unforgettable experience. The music was awesome. The rhythm was out of this world... and got us dancing. The band had great presence and totally connected with the audience. The lead singer Ibrahim Ag Alhabib, has the charisma of Jimmy Hendrix, Jim Morrison, and Mike Jagger all bottled into one! What a thrill.

Let me preface this by saying this was the 3rd time I've seen Tinariwen. Having missed their Troubadour show earlier this year, I made it a point to go to this one. And I was pleasantly surprised to see their fan base grew tremendously since their first L.A. appearance at the now defunct Temple Bar in Santa Monica. That show was for me what the El Rey show was for all other first-time Tinariwen attendees: a sublimely amazing mystery that unfolds before your very eyes, gracing you visually with Touareg sand-swept desert apparel, weathered faces and dancing bodies; and aurally with jangly and exotically percussive sounds that are equal parts Timbuktu and Delta Blues. In short, exotically seductive stuff you just don't want to end. The 2nd time I saw them was at 2010's Hollywood Bowl, where they were onstage with an abbreviated version of their band for an equally abbreviated too-short set of--what?--maybe 15 minutes tops? And in broad daylight? They were robbed at that performance! But seeing how their popularity has since grown, KCRW might give them a headlining slot for Summer of 2012. Again--not seeing their Troubadour show--the El Rey show made up for that. It was great to welcome back my "friends" Tinariwen, where I got a cat's eye view from the base of the stage. It was fun to dance "with" them again, to the terrific sounds. And I guess it was also great to see that noted musicians worth their salt have since caught on to the beauty and power of Tinariwen--some of whom appear on their latest recording "Tassili"--joining them onstage to share a couple songs. What I want to know is, where were Flea and the guys from TV on The Radio at the Temple Bar gig?!?! (I know, I know--they were either touring or maybe caught them in another city on that self-same tour!)

They had the most energy I've seen them have for their last 2 songs. Such a treat to see them, can't wait to experience them in the desert!

the energy at this how was amazing..... special guests michael kang and jason hann tore it up. great show, great people, and great music!

My 26-year-old daughter Iris went to all 3 days of Coachella 2009; I went only to the first day. When I asked her favorites, she said Leonard Cohen, Paul McCartney & Tinariwen. When I asked her to explain that last name, she said their music resisted explanation but it was one of the greatest groove-motion experiences she'd ever had. Based on that recommendation, I went to this show. She was right.

I first became aware of Tinariwen in the Fall of 2008 when I visited the African Museum at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC. They had an exhibition of the arts and crafts of the Touareg people, and playing in the background was the Water Is Life album by Tinariwen. I was completely smitten by their sound-it was African, Moroccan, Arabic, Western and totally unique. I bought it on the spot and have listened to it constantly ever since. When I saw that they would be part of UCLA Live I was thrilled. I really did not think that a group of nomads from the Saharan desert would ever get to my neck of the woods, and I jumped at the chance to see them. After all of my built up excitement, I began to worry that they might not live up to my expectations. As it turned out, this was a needless worry. They changed my life in ways I probably am only beginning to guess at. Thank you so much for bringing them to Southern California.

Show was amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wish the annoncer talked a little less about himself and more about the bands

Best evening I've spent in a long time. Well, since I returned from traveling with the Tuaregs in the Sahara 2 months ago. The Tuvan singers and musicians were unbelievable. How do they do that? They evoked horses, birds, trains, wind, water...life in Tuva, in fact. Tinariwen are the best rock 'n' roll blues band in the world. There is nothing more to be said.

The venue was fantastic. The sound was stellar. Really just an amazing show and set.

The show was literally mesmerizing. What more can you ask. The Mongolian opening band was outstanding as well. Yet another stellar line-up from Royce Hall.

The concert was great, people got into this sub-saharian music spirit very quickly, I had never seen such a movement from people sitting on the balcony and literally going dancing right in front of the stage, great vibes from both this amazing band and a great audience that got into it. I truly recommend to see this group, it´s fantastic.

both bands just were great. Overall amazing vibe to the whole show

Venue was cool as hell. The band was amazing. So stoked to have gone.

The Growlers opened the show and played for about an hour. Great vibes and great music. Tinariwen was extremely amazing.

Went for the Growlers, didnt know anything about Tinariwen. They turned out to be really good. Both bands were great. I'd go again.

The interplay of rhythm with multiple guitars and vocalists, creates from simple parts a complex layering that most groups can only achieve through technology. They are about the music and drawing people into the experience, not simply performing for them. This is my second time seeing them, the first was many years ago on The Pier. I will continuing seeing them at every opportunity.

I went for the Growlers and was curious about Tinariwen. Both bands put on such an awesome performance! I would love to see them both again soon. :D

Choice! Tuareg blues at its best.if you love guitar, you will love Tinawiren.

Despite a sometimes awkward language barrier, Tinaiwen had no problem connecting with the audience thru their music! Absolute masterly performance of their unique brand of music, but they basically ROCKED THE HOUSE!

Band seemed to play the same song, in the same key, maybe 20 times, with insignificant variations. Hypnotic? Maybe. Boring? Definitely. Their records are much better and recommended. Was very disappointed that they hardly, if at all played the tinde drum on stage, which I was waiting for through two sets.

The Tinariwen concert was an experience of incredible music! The band is so talented and they showcased their amazing musical style!

Became familiar with Tinariwen's music via last.fm, and on a whim, decided to find out if they were touring: they were, and their Howard Theatre performance coincided well with a road trip I was planning with my daughter...took a 750 mile detour and caught the show, and wasn't a bit disappointed. Could tell from their music that they'd be a great live band--they delivered.

Tinariwen was great. We loved the group and their music.The newly redone Howard Theater was beautiful.

Fantastic Show! Would recommend them to anyone interested in a fun show.

One of those concerts that you felt sorry for anybody who missed it. Tinariwen's music is at once foreign and familiar; you've never heard anything like it and yet there's something recognizable happening. If I had to describe them to someone I would say they are a Saharan Grateful Dead, or a Libyan Grateful Dead. There music is spacey but it follows a groove. Friday at the Paradise was amazing. The room was sold-out or almost sold-out. They came on at about 10 and played for close to two hours. Visually they are stunning; all dressed in robes from head to toe, and playing a mix of western instruments and instruments native to their country. The fact that most of their songs are in another language just adds to the coolness.

best. show. eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeever

The concert was amazing! It was spiritual, inspirational and moving. The guitar playing was fantastic. The atmosphere was spellbinding. Tinariwen are a unique, incredibly talented band.

excellent vibrant concert!! my first experience attending their concert and I'll come to see them again...

It's really amazing when a band from the deserts of Mali can come to the Village and just connect with a New York audience. You could just feel the warmth that the crowd felt for these guys. The only downer was they were lacking there female vocalist.

This was a great concert. I love this band. The music was eclectic and the venue was just the perfect size.

Tinariwen's long and sometimes painful history comes through in their haunting, impassioned show. Vocal and guitar lines interweave gorgeously, punctuated by powerful percussion. Even in the songs about revolution and loss there is a joyfulness in being alive in the moment. These warrior-artists carry the desert in their souls. Highly recommended for anyone who loves Malian music or is curious about the roots of American blues. Just spellbinding.

Overall I would rate this group a solid ten. They were on time, very interactive with the audience, and put on a fabulous show. They also made themselves available after the show for pic., autographs, etc. Good time and great fun! The venue was easy to find and accessible to all. It's certainly not the Taj Mahal but is clean, orderly and priced accordingly. There was a problem that night with the restrooms not having hand soap or paper towels in the dispensers. Parking is an issue and I would recommend taking the subway train in.The staff was very accommodating and friendly.The coat check room was a bonus at this venue.Thanks to all for a great night out!

What more to say. I've been listening to these guys for a few years and always loved them. But they take it up to a significantly higher plane live. The prominence of the drums was among many pleasant surprises.

I really had a great time. If you want a unique and really amazing performance experience, you should check out this band. They are Rock and Roll in the fullest sense of the word, world music. You will also hear a bit of Flamenco or rather where Flamenco comes from, the deserts of the Sahara!

This is such an amazing concert! I danced the night away. Purely beautiful music. The opening act, Sophie Hunger, mega-sucked though.

I was at the stage to see these guys! They are fantastic! Got to even hang out with them a few hours after the show!

Tinariwen lived up to its international reputation. It was a great experience to hear and see them in person;I've used their YouTube videos in my classes, and I have wanted to see them for a long time.

I really don't know how to put seeing Tinariwen live into words. It's like experiencing sound for the first time. Amazing.

Unbelievably good night at the El Rey. Tinariwen were epic! Much dancing and the atmosphere was rockin. These guys can play music!!! Bonus was walk on addition of lead and bass from TV on the Radio and Flea for the last couple of tunes. Obviously, they feel the same about these incredible musicians from the Sahara. Really eclectic and world style crowd. DJ mixed some awesome tunes too.... What more can I say!

Unique, transcendant, brilliant. Up there with some of the best shows I have ever seen. If tinariwen comes back, run to go see them.

Very good show put on by a couple bands I had not heard of. I was very impressed with the performances and very much liked the venue and crowd.