Name: Konono N°1
Genre: World
Day: Sunday

Wikipedia sez: “Konono N°1 is a musical group from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. They combine three electric likembé (a traditional instrument similar to the mbira) with voices, dancers, and percussion instruments that are made out of items salvaged from a junkyard. The group’s amplification equipment is equally rudimentary, including a microphone carved out of wood fitted with a magnet from an automobile alternator and a gigantic horn-shaped amplifier. The group achieved international renown beginning in 2005, with its DIY aesthetic appealing to many fans of rock and electronic music.”

When ever I think of Congo that sketch from The Late Show (not Letterman) comes up where Santo answers Congo to just about every question he was asked. But of course this has nothing to do with Konono N°1, who’s drum based music seems to whip crowds into a total frenzy. Just listening to it makes you want to get up and throw your legs about like a lunatic and shake your head like crazy. It’s a different sound mainly because you don’t hear much stuff from Congo, and I may have to just check it out on that part alone.

Likelyhood of Seeing at Coachella: Just maybe..

Read on to view Konono N°1 live videos…

Konono N°1 - Live at the Black Cat (Washington D.C)

Konono N°1 - Live at the São Paulo City Centre (December 2006)