Salif Keita Tickets

After the first song, he invited the audience to dance, at which point everyone instantly lept to their feet, cheering and screaming. This was my first time seeing him live and I had no idea what an icon he is. I was anxious to start dancing, and moved to the aisle and the infectious beats just never stopped. Individual band members got their moment in the sun and my favorite was the kora player who managed to keep an amazing solo going while playing the instrument behind his back, upside down, lying on his back and scooting around on the floor. Quite entertaining. Throughout the evening, in the African custom, members of the audience danced their way across the stage in a seemingly endless caravan, to deposit bills on Mr. Keita and other members of the band. Of course the bills would fall to the floor, so after awhile, the stage was littered with cash ! I'm a professional classical musician, and it would be my dream to see this at a classical concert ! Some of the audience members had some fabulous dancing skills and used the opportunity to show them off while on stage. During the show, the fire marshal repeatedly told the front row to stay back and for people to keep the aisles clear. At one point, the music had to come to a stop while people were forced to moved back to their seats. A chorus of "boooos !" resounded in the hall, and soon after, the aisles were filled with dancing yet again. I thought it was interesting that as I entered the hall, I saw signs posted everywhere stating "no photography/video...cameras will be confiscated" then as soon as the first song started, the darkness was lit up by light from camera screens ! After the last song (I wish I knew the names...most of the audience seemed to know), and the band left the stage, the audience kept clapping for more, but stage hands started dismantling equipment right away. I hope I get a chance to see this artist and his band again in the near future. It was a night to remember.