Festival au Desert 2006

Up to much this weekend? Fancy something different to getting off your face in front of a dj? Theres still just enough time to get yourself on a plane to Timbuktu for the sixth "Festival au Desert".

Started "officially" in January 2001, the "festival au désert" held every year in Essakane, two hours from Timbuctu in Mali.

During the three-day event, everyone sleeps in tents, including the musicians and visiting dignitaries. The festival is not without glitches. At the first one gun-toting bandits stole the public address system that had been flown in. They returned it - reluctantly - only after a former rebel leader who now plays guitar with a celebrated local group named Tinariwen negotiated the equipment's release.

The majority of music played is traditional, Tuareq, desert blues. Mali is pretty famous for its music, with Amadou & Mariam rocking in big this year, and Salif Keita constantly impressing. Mali's most famous Tuareg export is Ali Farka Touré, who isnt appearing this year but is well worth checking out. Especially his colaboration with Ry Cooder Talking Timbuktu or last years Red & Green.

official site

more images from 2004

more images from 2003 (- with a few of robert plant)