Femi Kuti at ACL Live [Show Preview]
Friday May 6
ACL Live at the Moody Theater (310 Willie Nelson Blvd)
$25-$35, 8pm
[info] | [tickets]
Being the son of a legend is hard enough; being the son of the man that put an entire continent into the musical conversation is an Atlas-like situation. But since the late ‘70s, Femi Kuti—son of Fela Kuti—has proved time and again that he can step out from his father’s shadow. And tonight, Austinites get a chance to see a legend in his own right when Femi Kuti and his band the Positive Force perform at ACL Live at the Moody Theater.
Afrobeat—that nebulous genre that combines traditional and regional African folk sounds with funk, jazz, and dance music—was pioneered by Nigeria’s Fela Kuti. Starting in the ‘60s (and continuing for over three decades), Fela Kuti brought Africa to Western ears, minds, and hearts. His music was danceable but thought-provoking, drawing attention to African social issues both past and present.
Femi—Fela’s first-born son—joined his father’s band in 1977 as a saxophone player. While primarily a back-up musician, Femi got his turn in the spotlight at a 1985 show at the Hollywood Bowl. His father was arrested last-minute on trumped-up charges, so Femi had to quickly fill in, but he isn’t any privileged slouch. His style is as intoxicating as his father’s, but with a brashness only youth can bring.
Femi formed his band the Positive Force in the late ‘80s, releasing a string of renowned records and touring worldwide. While he incorporates his father’s polyrhythmic attack, he hasn’t shied away from pushing boundaries. Femi has ventured into both hip-hop and electronic music, collaborating with artists as diverse as Common, Mos Def, and Thievery Corporation.
Femi is currently touring behind last year’s Africa For Africa, an album recorded at the same studios in Lagos, Nigeria where he started his career with his father. He’s keeping the Afrobeat tradition alive, one sore dancing foot at a time.
Femi Kuti & the Positive Force: [myspace]
