“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
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 Cedar Cultural Center’s four-day Global Roots Festival.
