Global Roots Festival 2009 with The Cedar and Walker Art Center present BLK JKS (at The Cedar)
“A myriad of sounds and influences fly out in fast and furious fashion . . . one of the most thrilling and explosive shows L.A. has seen in a very long time” —LA Times
"Fiery guitars, dark jams: Africa's best new band" Rolling Stone
With a wrecking-crew rhythm section, debonair vocals, and a guitar concoction that’s one part shred and two parts soul, it’s easy to understand why South Africa’s BLK JKS took music mega-gathering SXSW by storm last year. Now on its debut U.S. tour, the band shoots an African musical sensibility through the tenets of rock, electronic, and soul, reclaiming styles that have been stolen, watered down, and regurgitated for generations. BLK JKS’s fresh, forward rhythms, layered harmonies, elliptical guitar vernacular, and infectious urban Zulu mbaqanga blues combine in a swirl of experimentation and tribal energy. Catch the newest voice in African music’s 21st-century sound on this blistering opening night of the Global Roots Festival. BLK JKS just released their international debut LP on Secretly Canadian, After Robots.
Tickets are on sale now from The Cedar Ticketline (612-338-2674 ext 2), Cedar outlets, The Walker Box Office (612.375.7600), and online at Ticketweb and The Walker.
Tickets: $15 advance ($12 Walker members) / $18 day of show ($15 Walker members). LIMITED SEATING AVAILABLE
Festival passes (admission to all six Global Roots Festival shows, plus opening night beer and sushi reception) are available for only $79 from The Cedar Ticketline (612-338-2674 ext 2), and Ticketweb.
The BLK JKS, South African afro avant noise rock band. Childhood friends Linda and Mpumi grew up on the same block in Johannesburg’s East Rand, where they taught themselves guitar after Linda’s sister received one as a prize in church choir. Forming a band in...
