Vieux Farka Touré, one of the world’s most respected guitarists, marks his Kings Place return at Songlines Encounters 2023, performing from his extraordinary back catalogue and his critically-acclaimed new album, Les Racines.

Crafted during lockdown, Les Racines is a return to Vieux Farka Touré’s musical and familial roots. It is a true celebration of Vieux’s heritage – a tribute to the Songhai music of northern Mali and to the far-reaching legacy of his legendary late father, Ali Farka Touré.

At Kings Place, Vieux will be joined by his band to deliver a spellbinding and intimate performance in Hall One. Playing tunes not only from Les Racines, but also from his extensive catalogue of desert blues classics, plus new album Ali, created in collaboration with chart-topping indie-jazz trio, Khruangbin.

On Ali, Vieux pays homage to his father by recreating some of his most resonant work, putting new twists on it while maintaining the original’s integrity. The result is a rightful ode to a legend. Ali isn’t just a greatest hits compilation. It’s a lullaby, a remembrance of Ali’s life through known highlights and B-sides from his catalogue.

It is a testament to what happens when creativity is approached through open arms and open hearts. “To me, music is magic, it is spontaneous, it is the energy between people,” Vieux says.

The performance will last approximately 80 minutes.