An irresistible musical force descended on Westwood on Saturday night, and it was met with a seemingly immovable object.
An eclectic, sold-out crowd of seated music fans had come to UCLA's Royce Hall for Tinariwen, the Tuareg ensemble whose unmistakable interpretation of electric blues has taken it from the harsh climate of the Southern Sahara to a new sort of nomadic life as a growing world music phenomenon.
Yet only a couple of songs into the bands performance, the potent force of Tinariwen had won out, pulling people into the aisles to move with the loping dance moves of Abdallah Ag Alhousseyni, Tinariwens veiled and caftan-clad guitarist, during the swirling, mid-tempo epic Ammasakoul.
And really, who could blame them? Asking even the most reserved music fan to maintain decorum in the face of such propulsive, immersive sounds is a fairly Herculean request. And something in Tinarawens music called a sampling from every sector of the crowd -- graying and elegantly dressed UCLA Live subscribers, faux-fur vested fashionistas and bearded college students -- to rush the stage, raise their arms and bear witness.
Because theres something inherently spiritual in Tinariwen, a sort of devotional aspect to its performances that transcends the groups often grim lyrics in its native Tamashek about revolution, regret and an unforgivingly hard homeland. Ultimately, the music is transformed into something cathartic -- joyful even -- thats impossible to resist.
Much of this stems from the groups distinctive hybrid of traditional Tuareg sounds with electric instrumentation, and while longtime bandleader Ibrahim Ag Alhabibs biting yet at times ebullient guitar pyrotechnics deservedly receives much of the notice, its the popping hand-drum rhythms and subtle counter-melodies of bassist Eyadou Ag Leche that gives the music its entrancing backbone.
Incorporating elements of Malian and Middle Eastern music, as well as a penchant for trance-like guitar figures, Tinariwens songs can blend seamlessly into one consistently engrossing whole. Led by Alhabib, Matadjem Yinmixan, from the groups 2007 breakthrough, Aman Iman: Water Is Life, was a standout midway through the evening, with its snaking guitar melody and a disarmingly upbeat, singalong chorus.
