Staff Benda Bilili are set to return to the UK for a series of very rare live shows later this year.
Hailing from Congo, Staff Benda Bilili are one of the most unusual groups on the planet. A band of disabled musicians, the collective began performing music as it was one of the few ways they could earn a living.
Drawn to each other through a shared set of circumstances, Staff Benga Bilili would play almost constantly. As a result the group developed its own bizarre musical language which is difficult to define.
Rhythmically, Staff Benda Bilili recall African music but with a definite rock touch. Using specially adapted instruments, the mind expanding sounds at times drift into psychedelic territories.
Directed by Renaud Barret and Florent de la Tullaye, a film made about the band named ‘Benda Bilili’ triumphed at the Cannes Film Festival last year, with a nationwide release due next month.
Set to open on March 18th, the film will be accompanied by a series of tour dates. Staff Benda Bilili are a truly unique group, with this representing a rare chance to catch the African collective in action.
Opening in Gateshead on May 12th, the tour continues in Birmingham, Norwich, Bury St Edmunds and more. Reaching London's historic Roundhouse venue on May 15th, the show is one of the band's largest to date.
Ending in Manchester's Bridgewater Hall on May 21st, tickets for the tour are set to go on sale shortly.
Staff Benda Bilili are due to play the following shows:
May
12 Gateshead The Sage
14 Birmingham Town Hall
15 London Roundhouse
18 Norwich Theatre Royal
19 Bury St Edmunds
20 Bristol Colston Hall
21 Manchester Bridgewater Hall
Click here to buy tickets for Staff Benda Bilili!