Experience this grand orchestra from Djibouti and their unique blend of Indian Bollywood, Jamaican dub, reggae, Harlem’s jazz-era inspiration, uplifting synthesizers and funk.

Please note: This concert takes place at Huset

While the music of Somalia is widely celebrated, its neighbor, the Republic of Djibouti, formerly known as French Somaliland, is home to an equally deep reservoir of its own unique Somali music. The small but culturally grand country on the mouth of Red Sea remains one of the few places in the world where music is still entirely the domain of the state. Since independence in 1977, one-party rule brought most music under its wing, with almost every band a national enterprise, integral to the state propaganda apparatus. No foreign entities have been permitted to work with Djibouti’s rich roster of music — until now.

Groupe RTD: The Dancing Devils of Djibouti is the first album ever to be released outside of the country. Recorded by the amazing Groupe RTD (part of the Radiodiffusion-Télévision Djibouti (RTD), a.k.a. the national radio) and released on Ostinato Records, the album is a lovely infusion of Indian Bollywood, Jamaican dub, reggae, Harlem’s jazz-era inspiration, uplifting synthesizers and funk. Don’t miss them when they play their first Danish show at Huset.

Lineup:
Mohamed Abdi Alto (Sax)
Asma Omar (Vocals)
Guessod Abdo Hamargod (Vocals)
Hassan Omar Houssein (Vocals)
Omar Farah Houssein (Drums)
Moussa Aden Ainan (Keys)
Abdirazak Hagi Sufi “Kaajaa” (Guitar)
Abdo Houssein Handeh (Bass)
Salem Mohamed Ahmed (Dumbek)