Tamikrest
At a time of growing division, Tamikrest proved that music can still unite across borders, cultures and languages.
Natalie O'Dell
Tamikrest delivered a captivating performance at Norwich Arts Centre on Thursday, blending musical exploration with a powerful sense of unity. Against the backdrop of an increasingly divided political landscape, the Saharan group’s celebration of cultural exchange and shared humanity felt both timely and deeply affecting.
The word Tamikrest means “crossing” in the language of the Kel Tamashek. The band’s choice of name is a reference to the historical free movement of nomadic people through the countries of Northern Africa, impeded by modern land borders that have resulted in separation and division. The band’s music speaks to the struggles faced by the Tuareg people, their sound providing a vehicle for stories of displacement, perseverance and community. In Tamikrest’s own words, “we wish we could communicate with you better,” but “music is universal.”
Musically, the set was adventurous and genre spanning. There were definite flashes of Jimi Hendrix in the fluid, expressive bass work, while opening guitar lines carried echoes of Dire Straits’ distinctive twang, weaving melodic riffs through the band’s iconic Saharan grooves. Instead of relying solely on familiar formulas, Tamikrest pushed their sound into unmarked territory and the result yielded absorbing passages of electric sound. The crowd responded warmly, surrendering to the trance like momentum that defines Tamikrest’s music.
What remained evident through the entirety of the band’s set was the intrinsic link between their music and their message. Tamikrest’s tracks speak to openness, resilience and connection across cultures, while maintaining the warmth and collective energy of live performance. For anyone interested in music that combines virtuosity, exploration and real human connection, Tamikrest come very highly recommended
