Imarhan are a five-piece Tuareg band from Tamanrasset, Algeria — the Tuareg capital on the edge of the Sahara. Their name translates as 'those who wish me well', and the group began playing together in 2006 before going on to record three acclaimed albums that have made them icons of the new Tuareg generation.
Rooted in Assouf, the contemplative desert blues of their culture, Imarhan weave poetic and sacred vocal traditions with guitar virtuosity and meditative trance rhythms. Their music has drawn comparisons from some of rock and electronic music's biggest names, including Kurt Vile, José González, Jimmy Page and Four Tet.
The quintet is led by Sadam and features Abdelkader Ourzig on guitar and backing vocals, Haiballah Akhamouk on percussion and backing vocals, Hicham Bouhasse on percussion, guitar and backing vocals, Dogan Poyraz on drums, percussion and backing vocals, and Tahar Khaldi on bass.
The concert takes place at Théâtre Jean-Claude Carrière in Montpellier at 19:30, as part of the Festival Arabesques programme.