Dobet Gnahoré @ Nuits D'Afrique

Dobet Gnahoré kicked off the 24th Festival Nuits D’Afrique in fine form. Literally.

Propelling herself into mid-air, spinning on the floor like a breakdancer, and gyrating torso muscles you didn’t know existed, Gnahoré demonstrated the breadth of her talents, which are deeply rooted in the traditions of Africa.

Then there’s her voice. Deep and robust, it seems to emanate from within her soul, from an ancient place connected to shamans and tribesmen who came before.

Gnahoré is clearly comfortable in her own skin. A well-seasoned performer, her experience as an entertainer is a pleasure to behold as she moves between instruments and styles with fluidity and grace.

At age 12, Gnahoré informed her parents that she intended to drop out of school and stay at home with her father, who was a musician. Their village was renowned for their artists co-operative, and it there that Dobet learned the wide range of styles she highlights during her show. From song to song, she glides effortlessly from rich West African beats, to diaspora flavoured Afro-pop, to astonishly powerful Pygmy-style throatsinging. 

Judging by the smiles exchanged on stage, this is a band that loves playing together. Highly skilled, they seem content with how perfectly their grooves combine.

Gnahoré won the hearts of an already-impressed audience through her humour, as she lightheartedly teased Montrealers about their comparatively stiff dancing style. This was Gnahoré’s second time at the festival, and the show was an exciting way to begin this year’s edition.