Big Bang Festival
Mbilou & Kakatsitsi Drummers
Fri 26 July, 8pm // Whelan’s // €15
Kakatsitsi Drummers from Ghana are one of the most respected West African drumming groups outside of Africa. They spend half the year at home in Ghana and half on the road, most recently accompanying The Orb at Glastonbury.
Their shows are a spiritual experience, made for dancing.
They will also be accompanied by Mbilou, a shaman from the Bitwi religion of the Central African rainforest in Gabon. This will be a first for Ireland as he plays his mougongo (mouth bow) and the Nagoya-Ngombi (harp).
Bring your dancing shoes! Stay on for club night after!
Mulêketú & Forró Namangaia
Sat 27 July, 8pm // The Sugar Club // €15
A night of Brazilian Rhythms with Mulêketú and Forró Namangaia!
Formed in 1998, Mulêketú are widely regarded as the best samba reggae band outside Brasil. Based in Paris, with over 50 percussionists, they have brought the heartbeat of Bahia to the streets of Paris for over a decade. Fusing samba reggae, maracatu, funk and the drum throwing acrobatics of the famous Pelourinho drummers (Olodum, Ile Aiye). This will be their 5th visit to Dublin and a rare chance to see The Sugar Club turned into a proper carnival-esque session!
Also on the bill are Brazilian five piece Forró Namangaia who have passion for upbeat, authentic and genuine Forró music from the north of Brazil.
Mulêketú & Forró Namangaia
Sat 27 July, 8pm // The Sugar Club // €15
Hotter Than July
Sun 28 July, 3-8pm // Smithfield Sq // FREE EVENT
Now in its 6th year, Hotter than July is presented by Dublin City Council, and Improvised Music Company, in collaboration with the Big Bang Festival of Rhythm, for a day full of international acts, feel-good rhythms and infectious melodies, with events and activities for the whole family.
There will also be dancing, singing, and hands-on opportunities to get stuck in for all ages and the performance of the Big Bang Dance Project. Food and refreshment vendors (this is an alcohol-free event) will be on site, for a wonderful party of a summer afternoon.
i4drum
Thur 25 July, 8pm // Gandharva Loka, George’s St // €10
i4Drum harmoniously blend beats from across continents with Indian, African and Irish percussion.