In the somewhat crowded scene of Tuareg guitarists, Mdou Moctar stands apart from his peers. One of the few original singer/songwriters willing to experiment and push the boundaries of the genre, his unconventional styles have won him accolades both in Niger and abroad.

Mdou hails from Abalak, in the Azawagh desert of Niger. He taught himself the guitar at a young age on a homemade instrument. Mdou traveled the road to Libya, where he worked odd jobs. As chance had, he met some now-famous Tuareg guitarists and furthered his musical studies. He returned home with a guitar and a dream.

Rising to the status of local celebrity, in 2008 he traveled to Nigeria to record his first album, Anar – a psychedelic electronic album of Tuareg guitar, which became an instant success throughout the mp3 networks of West Africa. “Tahoultine,” one of the standout tracks, was later featured on the compilation Music from Saharan Cellphones.

In 2013, Mdou released his first international album, Afelan, rocking and raw sessions recorded live at his hometown in Niger. This was followed by the 2014 vinyl release of Anar. In 2015, he starred in the first-ever Tuareg language film, a fictional story of a guitarist struggling to make it against all odds in Agadez. The film continues to be screened at festivals around the world.

THU MAY 10 | 8PM | $15, $12 MEMBERS (+$3 at the door)