Montreal Cultural Calendar

Colombia – QC

For over 10 years, Afrovibes has been introducing the general public to the powerful and sacred rhythms of Haitian Vodou in all their forms: Rara, Ibo, Nago, Agbadja, Djoumba, Dahomey… The group creates a world where mesmerizing drums, Haitian spiritual songs, Nigerian Afrobeat and Martinique’s bèlè coalesce naturally. Led by the percussionist Emmanuel Delly, their music transports the audience into an altered consciousness that radiates strength and sincerity. Enhanced by a versatile female vocalist and rich arrangements with soul, jazz, rock and Latin influences, the band cultivates a deep and timeless Vodou-Afrobeat sound.

Chibane skillfully navigates between North African traditions, Gypsy jazz and engaged poetry. A staunch supporter of the Hirak, he was one of the first to lend his voice to this movement fuelled by an artistic impulse that mobilized an entire people and gave visibility to their determination. Banned from performing in his home country, he chose exile over silence. Now based in Montreal, the singer-songwriter infuses his chaâbi sound with cosmopolitan rhythms beautifully accentuated by an intense and warm voice that carries both pain and hope.

“Never again will we listen to the balafon in the same way,” (Le Monde, 2025). Strikingly modern and spirited, Kanazoé Orkestra’s sound combines the balafon and drums of Mandinka and Sambla traditions with Nigerian Afrobeat and South African amapiano, along with a good dose of irresistible rap and electro groove. With electrifying energy, the ensemble—led by the charming and brilliant Seydou Diabaté, whose balafon technique is simply breathtaking—celebrates Africa and the universality of its rhythms, bringing ancient traditions to life at 200 bpm! With humanity and social awareness, Kanazoé Orkestra’s fourth album, Balabeatz (2025), speaks to the world by embracing the vibes of its time, without ever losing sight of its roots.

With powerful drumming, lively singing, and twirling skirts, Suraras do Tapajós takes us into the heart of the Amazon. But don’t be fooled! The rhythms are joyful but their lyrics are profound and serious. This first all-female carimbó group sings of life, resistance, and the memories of the peoples of Brazil’s Lower Tapajós region. As gentle as they are rebellious, the women share their deep connection to nature, pay tribute to women’s solidarity and strength, and advocate for the defence of ancestral lands and Indigenous rights. Emanating a magnetic aura, a determined spirit of rebellion, and a deeply rooted vitality, Suraras do Tapajós were unanimously selected for the WOMEX Showcase 2025.

In Cuba, music is heard everywhere, all the time: bolero, cha-cha-cha, danzón, filin, guajira, guaracha, habanera, mambo, rumba, son, timba, you name it! All those lively, exhilarating and incredibly varied rhythms are instantly recognizable and set the pace for daily life. Under the musical direction of Julio de Armas, Septeto de Montreal’s zesty brass, intense percussion and infectious good vibes make you want to dance and have fun, and just let go of everything else. True to its traditions, this group—which has shared the stage with renowned artists such as Isaac Delgado and Haila María Mompié—promises a fiery performance.

Eagerly awaited by festivalgoers, this breathtaking favourite event never fails to arouse powerful emotions. This year, Afrique en Cirque will celebrate its 40th anniversary in a spectacular fashion with a thrilling, large-scale production specially conceived for the occasion. Steeped in memories of West Africa, the company’s dizzying and athletic acrobatics, which burst forth from all directions, is set to the powerful and joyful rhythms of djembe drums, themselves guided by the magical and generous kora playing of Yamoussa Bangoura, Kalabanté’s founder and artistic director, and multidisciplinary artist who has worked with Circus Baobab, Cirque Éloize, Cirque du Soleil and Cavalia. Dance, music, contemporary circus arts, theatre and costumes are fully integrated, forming a single, cohesive aesthetic that fills the stage as a unified whole. The scenes and feats flow seamlessly into one another, creating a language that serves to share and connect cultures.

West Africa – QC

The music of this self-taught, multidisciplinary artist is free-spirited and eclectic, much like himself. His creative mashups, synthesized on his MIDI keyboard, are a distillation of his diverse and iconoclastic tastes, ranging from Latin percussion to keb rap, from R&B to UKG, from reggaeton to Afrobeat, from baile funk to electro in all its forms, and the list goes on. Clearly, his musical passions will take him anywhere! But one thing is certain: his samples will never sacrifice dance!

Zalam Kao, “through a fusion of styles, embodies a kind of vibrant musical spirit that has been part of Montreal since the 1970s, namely an uninhibited blending of cultures that form the mosaic of our music scene,” (Le Devoir, 2026). This big winner of the 19th edition of the Syli d’Or de la Musique du Monde awards doesn’t hold back as it moves through jazz, funk and soul. Sunny and unifying, Zalam Kao’s music is not only eclectic, it’s truly mind-blowing! Global music has never carried its name so well.

It’s a return to his roots for Élage Diouf, whose career in Montreal began with Nuits d’Afrique almost 30 years ago, when he was discovered thanks to his appearance on the Colocs’ album Dehors novembre, on the song “Tassez vous de d’là” (yup, the one that everyone still pretends they know the words to as they try to sing along!) Élage and the three Sissokho brothers, Sadio, Fa and Noumoucounda—whose extensive careers are studded with collaborations with illustrious artists—have known each other for years. Tonight will be all about coming together. And it’s going to be wild! Djembes, dunduns, tamas… We’re talking about some seriously talented percussionists here! But that’s not all! The kora will also have pride of place, befitting its prestige and magical qualities. Mbalax, sabar and akasso along with smiles from ear-to-ear: this reunion won’t soon be forgotten, that’s for sure!

She sings to exist and to resist. “Powered by the rock vibe of the trio from Lyon accompanying her, Sahra Halgan has but one aim: to put her country on the world map,” (RFI, 2021). With her national flag always within reach, this emblematic artist from Somaliland—a small country that declared its independence from Somalia in 1991 but is recognized by virtually no other nation—transforms each concert into an opportunity to speak out. Her raw, fiery voice breathes new life into ancient melodies that intersect with hard-hitting riffs and hypnotic drums at the crossroads of Ethio-jazz, Tuareg blues, and garage rock.

Lately, Kizaba has been going non-stop, with performances at venues around the globe in these last few months alone. The career of the man behind Future Village (Disques Nuits d’Afrique, 2025) is literally booming. Among the Révélation Radio-Canada 2024–2025, the artist embodies Afrofuturism, playing with a variety of styles, including roots, French touch, Afrobeat, folk, dubstep and Afro-pop rock, while he summons the ancestors to chart a future guided by their wisdom. A multi-instrumentalist, he creates a world where soukous guitars, explosive synths and an arsenal of percussion instruments collide to form a socially conscious, perfectly catchy and danceable Congolese electro sound that bridges ancestral memory, the golden age of SAPE and a holographic vision of a future waiting to be reinvented.

On WEDNESDAY, July 15, just before the Systema Solar concert, come enjoy the ICI MUSIQUE DJ Set hosted by CATHERINE PÉPIN!

Tailored for dancing, Systema Solar’s infectious vibe emerged from the picós of Colombia’s Caribbean coast. The collective’s “dauntless, madcap spirit,” (Billboard, 2017) led to shows that are part neighbourhood festival, part alternative scene, and wholly addictive. Mixing cumbia, champeta, bullerengue, hip-hop, and electro without restraint, their performances are full-on from start to finish.

Brazil – QC

Let yourselves be immersed in the passionate traditions of Andalusia and Cuba with the sensuous jazz-infused flamenco rumba of this Montreal-based quintet. Soft guitars, nimble piano and subdued percussions all contribute to their melodies charged with the raw emotion inherent in the spirit of copla, flamenco and bolero. And then there is the warm husky voice and stage presence of Fernando “El Bancalero” Gallego, that invites the audience on a lyrical journey that is both shared and personal. This is music to be savoured!

From the arid lands of the Sahel to the shores of Essaouira, Gnawa music captivates. The thrumming guembri, the piercing krakeb, the resonant tbel and Salamate Gnawa’s jubilant spiritual chants, which blend harmoniously with blues, jazz, flamenco, zouk and rock rhythms, are beyond compare. They create a mystical and fervent conversation that is utterly fascinating. Like magic, the spirit of the ancestors rise, transforming the stage into a modern-day lila. Energetic, spellbinding and therapeutic, the experience is both intimate and communal.

His credo is simple: 100% fun, zero compromise. A regular at Montreal’s Afronick events, this lively drummer, singer and undeniably charismatic performer, knows how to connect with his audience and get the crowd grooving to the beat. His repertoire combines smooth kompa love, free-spirited reggae, invigorating Afrobeat and expressive rap-soul—all the ingredients for an outstanding festive night out!

Their voices intertwine like the fingers of clasped hands. A story of sisterhood, Somos Más was born in the intimacy of kitchens and living rooms, where personalities are revealed and bonds are cultivated. This collective made up of women from diverse cultural backgrounds—from Quebec to Latin America—sings of friendship, resilience, and the strength of “us, together.” Their vocal harmonies, warm and luminous, are set against cozy guitar, ukulele, bass and percussion arrangements. In both their original compositions and covers, Somos Más celebrates tenderness without ever sacrificing power. Because together, they transform the “us” into a horizon.

High-tension guitar riffs explode. The wall of massive, relentless percussions looms large. With a raw and totally urban vibe, this group of seasoned musicians reinterprets the cumbia inherited from their Afro-Indigenous forebearers, infusing it with a good dose of psychedelic rock. The drums, bass, guitar, congas, timbales, keyboards and other percussion instruments transform the spirit of the Andean folk dance into a multicultural trance that’s uniquely Montreal. Fiery, wild, and utterly irresistible!

On THURSDAY, July 16, just before the Fulu Miziki Kolektiv concert, come enjoy the ICI MUSIQUE DJ Set hosted by CATHERINE PÉPIN!

“Kinshasa is bursting with stars, and Fulu Miziki Kolektiv is the wildest of them all,” (RFI, 2025). Fulu Miziki, literally “music from garbage” in Lingala, has made a splash by transporting the sounds of Kinshasa’s streets into an Afro-futuristic, techno-punk trance sound stamped with Congolese rumba and coupé-décalé that they call “twerkanda.” Once discarded objects are recycled into hand-made instruments, which the percussionists beat as if their life depended on it, releasing furious energy with urgency to take action to save the planet, amplified by their raw, powerful voices rising from the depths of their souls and through DIY cyber-costumes that reflect their commitment. Zero waste, 100% impact!

Angola – QC

Pablo José’s accordion embodies the spirit of vallenato music from Colombia’s Caribbean coast. It laughs, it sighs, it laments and it celebrates; it serenades, entertains, gets people dancing and rekindles memories. The caja and guacharaca, which provide a refined accompaniment to the accordion, tap into the full range of emotions, transforming every performance into a moment of connection and warmth. All you need to do is let yourself be carried away by the music to suddenly find yourself on a joyful journey between the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and the Serranía del Perijá.

Former members, respectively, of Babylone, El Dey and Freeklane—three iconic bands of Algeria’s new music scene that began in the early 2000s—Ramzi (guitar), Fadi (keyboard) and Yacine (drums) pooled their experiences to form a “supergroup that’s shaking up Montreal,” (Le Devoir, 2025), by teaming up with Zaki (derbouka), Yacine (bass), Khalil (percussions) and Adel (vocals). Winners of Bronze at the 2026 Syli des Musiques du Monde award, Bastin Band rocks the stage with their explosive blend of raï, funk, soul, pop rock and North African rhythms like chaâbi and diwane. Playing covers in their own unique style as well as original compositions, the band has but one goal: to get everyone dancing in a party atmosphere!

His recent contribution to the soundtrack of the hit series Heated Rivalry has garnered considerable attention. With his fellow musicians, Richy Jay exudes infectious energy. Creole, French, English and Spanish blend together in kompa and zouk tunes infused with Afro-pop, reggaeton and dancehall, creating a meeting point between the rhythms of his Caribbean roots and his passion for Quebec. His sunny refrains convey a rich, vibrant, fluid and multifaceted identity. His sixth album, Caribbean Love, like a summer evening by the water, is a playful and inviting call to surrender to love, harmony, and dance!

“See the music and hear the movement.” That’s how the group’s co-founder Estelle Lavoie summarized Taafé Fanga’s process. Vigorous dance moves, powerful percussion and boundless energy. A combination of kora, balafon, djembe, dundun, krin and sabar, accentuated by frenetic and expressive dancing—it’s so exciting that it’s sometimes hard to know where to look… what a thrill! Winner of the first edition of the Syli d’Or de la Musique du Monde in 2007, Taafé Fanga’s performances are a testament to the members’ passion for West African rhythms.

“She can do it all,” (The Gazette, 2024). Lorraine Klaasen is part of Nuit d’Afrique’s own story. She was there right from the start and it’s only natural that she is returning as a cherished guest for the Festival’s 40th edition! If she gets her talent and charisma from her mother, the renowned Thandie Klaasen, and her confidence from rubbing shoulders with such legends as Nelson Mandela and Miriam Makeba, Lorraine Klaasen’s internationally acclaimed career is wholly down to her hard work, high standards and determination to let the audience feel every word she sings—even if they don’t understand the language. This grande dame, with a warm, ageless, powerful and elegant voice, whose nuances are beautifully underscored by dedicated musicians, carries on traditions from South Africa’s townships, delivering a captivating blend of marabi, jazz, blues, soul and Zulu rhythms.

On FRIDAY, July 17, just before the Admiral T concert, come enjoy the ICI MUSIQUE DJ Set hosted by PHILIPPE FEHMIU!

Since 2014, he has performed on several occasions at the Festival International Nuits d’Afrique, each time amazed by the receptiveness, appreciation and diversity of the festival’s audience, of whom he has become a crowd favorite. His presence to celebrate the 40th anniversary was only natural! In three decades, Admiral T has become the king of the Caribbean reggae-dancehall sound. That’s no exaggeration for an artist who’s able to fill the 20,000 seats at the Paris-Bercy Accor Arena. Influenced by sound systems and inspired by legends like Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, Admiral T blends gwoka, biguine, salsa, R&B, hip-hop and electro, all generously sprinkled with glitter and light. “A true pop cultural phenomenon … one of the rare superstars to emerge from the Creole-speaking community,” (La Presse, 2014).

Côte d’Ivoire – QC

DR Congo – QC

Pretty much everyone can recognize, from the first few bars, the famous melody of “El Cóndor Pasa,” which was composed at the start of the 20th century by Daniel Alomía Rob and has since been covered thousands of times, most notably by Simon & Garfunkel. It is into this world that Mestizo takes us—the world of Andean popular culture, which is rooted in the festive music of pre-Columbian times. Inspired by neo-folk groups such as Los Kjarkas and Illapu, Mestizo skillfully blends the classic wind and string instruments to carry irresistible traditional rhythms like Saya, Huayno, Sanjuanito, Tinku, Cueca, Carnavalito and Trote.

“Boubé follows in the footsteps of several other Tuareg musicians who have emerged over the past 25 years, such as Tinariwen, Etran de l’Aïr, Imarhan, Bombino and Mdou Moctar,” (La Presse, 2025). The magnetic rhythms of his desert blues powerfully resonate with the sun-drenched spirit of Saharan nomads and the Tamasheq assouf; a repetitive, direct, and unpretentious groove, shaped by peace, travel and freedom, and carried by blazing guitars, hypnotic percussion and a deep, captivating voice. It’s like experiencing a gentle breeze shifting between soothing moments and the vibes of rock. Boubé’s latest album, Voyager (Disques Nuits d’Afrique, 2025), showcases the unique style of this charismatic guitarist and accomplished drummer.

After all these years, this inseparable trio still gets great pleasure out of making music together. You can hear it, feel it and see it. It would have been unthinkable to celebrate the Festival’s 40th anniversary without Jab Djab, especially since their cover of the hit “Hot Hot Hot” remains an undisputed favourite at Club Balattou, the Festival’s headquarters. Since its formation in 1973, Jab Djab hasn’t aged a bit. With its festive spirit, playful energy, thrilling improvisations and immense talent for getting the crowd on its feet, it is even more dynamic, generous, joyful and explosive than ever. From start to finish, the group serves up a hearty helping of wild calypso, soca and reggae. For this special occasion, they will be joined by King Shadrock, who co-wrote the tribute song for the Festival’s 35th anniversary, and whose raw and powerful voice adds intensity to a reggae-dancehall sound guided by the core principles of Rastafarianism.

It’s Joyce N’sana’s stage presence that first catches your attention. Strong, compelling and captivating, she leaves no one indifferent. But it is her powerful voice, with its soulful inflections, that defines her highly charged performances bursting with reggae, gospel, Afrobeat, R&B, hip-hop, jazz and Afro-blues. All these influences come together in a musical universe steeped in Congolese traditions, which she calls Afrobluehop. This Révélation Radio-Canada 2021–2022, who has experienced civil war first-hand, sings in French, English, Lingala, and Lari to exorcise the dark chapters of her country’s history, with luminous, vibrant music that conveys a message of peace, love and harmony. Her album Télama (2024), a resolutely pop record inspired by the greatest female vocalists, is a unifying force.

“La Vida Es Un Carnaval” sang the legendary Celia Cruz, whose songs the group has covered. That phrase pretty much sums up its musical ambition. La Murga Ensamble is always raring to go at Montreal’s most popular Latinx events. Rooted in the feverish rhythms of salsa dura, boogaloo and other Afro-Caribbean vibes from the ’60s to the ’80s, the collective gathers together some of the city’s best Afro-Latinx musicians. Backed by sizzling brass, thunderous percussions, and authentic vinyl records, they take to the stage with the promise of an all-out party and an invitation to dance all night long.

For almost sixty years, they have been making hips swing around the globe, and they are still going strong. In 2014, Tabou Combo closed the 28th edition of Festival International Nuits d’Afrique with abandon. They returned in 2016 to help celebrate the Festival’s 30th anniversary, playing at the former Metropolis, and then again in 2019 to mark their 50th anniversary, playing to a full house each and every time. A cornerstone of the Haitian music scene, Tabou Combo is THE legend of kompa, a music genre that embodies the Pearl of the Antilles from the very first notes and was recently inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Their sophisticated sound, infused with rara, merengue, funk, rock, and soukous, showcases edgy guitar and dazzling brass, driving a syncopated groove that brings people of all ages together and gets them dancing. A happening steeped in history!

Colombia – QC

Cuba – QC

It would be impossible to describe Montreal’s West African music scene—or celebrate the 40th anniversary of Nuits d’Afrique—without talking about Aboulaye Koné, one of its most prolific and charismatic figures. Now we can add his sons to the list as well! Having matured into talented multi-instrumentalists in their own right, Taïrou, Lou-Gaël and Aboubacar. A perfectly natural thing to do when you belong to the griot tradition of carrying on the legacy from one generation to the next! Together, they sow the seeds of the baobab tree wherever they go, sharing Mandinka traditions, their deep roots, the richness of their customs and the wisdom of their teachings to audiences of all ages. With percussion and Mandinka guitar, Koné Kan puts its virtuosity at the service of its impressive musical heritage.

Infused with reggae, funk, jazz and rock, Sandya’s Gnawa music is a vibrant, celebratory space that, like an incantation, is shared exclusively by those present; a sacred circle where trance brings people together. The percussion beats out a rhythm, the brass instruments respond, and the violin soars… Rooted in the sacred traditions of dakka marrakchia and the Issawa, Sandya—led by the guembri master, Fathallah Cherkaoui, whose unique voice punctuates every chord—is pure joy and resonates like a call to dance and to let go, so we can better find ourselves, no matter where we come from.

“A musical project that is both festive and inclusive,” (La Presse, 2025). Would you like to dance? Get ready for a Montreal night to be filled with the aromas of a Rio Carnival. Surdo, conga, snare drum, tamborim, repique, chocalho: percussions reign supreme with this joyful band of musicians—winner of Silver at the 2026 Syli des Musiques du Monde awards—that energetically renders samba de roda, cabula, maracatu and other Afro-Brazilian rhythms at an impressive tempo. Full of jazz-inspired improvisations and catchy tunes, the exuberant music of this dynamic collective—founded in 2022 by Carlos Henrique Feitosa—is undeniably on par with that of Brazil’s renowned samba schools.

Elida Almeida “celebrates the modern appeal of her archipelago’s folklore, which she brings to life and embodies with a playful sensuality,” (Télérama, 2023). Winner of the 2015 Prix Découverte RFI, she is definitely turned towards the limelight. With heartfelt sincerity, she conjures up images of Cape Verdean life, bringing her country’s spirit alive with fiery and festive funaná, batuque and tabanka rhythms, which she reimagines with urban flair, while preserving their roots. Also a member of the Cesária Évora Orchestra, Elida upholds the legacy of the “barefoot diva,” even if she does not quite share the melancholy. Her new album, Spedju, intimate and introspective, places her voice firmly in the great Cape Verdean tradition.

Diblo Dibala is none other than the creator of soukous and one of the architects of the golden age of this infectious musical genre. A true and respected legend, he has inspired several generations of young artists. Without exception, every single one of his appearances at the Nuits d’Afrique International Festival over the last 40 years has caused a sensation. Naturally, he’ll be there for this anniversary edition. And there is no doubt that once again he will cast a spell over the audience with his frenetic rhythms! Nicknamed ‘Machine Gun’ for his dexterity on the guitar and his maddening seven-beat rhythms, Diblo Dibala delivers an explosive soukous that builds the energy to a crescendo, challenging anyone to resist the urge to sway their hips. Another legend – and a mainstay of leading bands such as Bella Bella (with Kanda Bongo Man), Loketo (with Aurlus Mabélé) and Matchatcha – Diblo Dibala continues to make his mark after a career spanning more than 50 years.

Those who were there are still talking about it. Among Nuits d’Afrique’s many highly memorable moments, Tiken Jah Fakoly’s closing concert of its 14th edition in the year 2000 is way up there, accompanied by Montreal musicians (they’re the best!). It marked the beginning of a mutual love affair with, as he put it, “the festival that serves as an ambassador for African culture,” (Radio-Canada, 2022). Each of his subsequent performances demonstrated the rapport between the artist and his Montreal audience. So, it is only natural for the international star to want to help celebrate the Festival’s 40th anniversary. With an astonishing stage presence, this fiery and influential reggae artist raises people’s awareness to counter illegitimate power and injustice, a self-driven mission. He advocates for unity and celebrates Africa’s diversity. Relentlessly. As if it were a mission he has set himself. The audience becomes hooked. Because he shakes things up, strikes a nerve. Because it’s true, heartfelt and resonates deeply. And because the irresistible brass, the sharp guitar riffs, and the well-balanced riddims make you desperately want to sing and dance. To express yourself.