On Monday 25 May – International Africa Day – the Belgian-Guinean modern griot N'Faly Kouyaté will be performing at AB for an exclusive show featuring his album *Finishing*, released in September 2025, with which he has since toured half the world.

For many years, Kouyaté was a member of the British band Afro Celt Soundsystem, who conquered the world’s stages with their mix of dance, African and Celtic music, making several stops at AB. During his subsequent solo career, Kouyaté launched a new style he dubbed Afrotonix: a blend of polyphony and electronica, in harmony with traditional instruments, through which he seeks above all to honour the Mandinka heritage. During his international career, he has collaborated with the likes of Peter Gabriel, William Kentridge, Phil Manzanera and Wyclef Jean.

For his exclusive Belgian concert on 25 May, he will be joined by numerous guests from Belgium and abroad, including Africa’s greatest reggae artist Tiken Jah Fakoly and Didier Awadi, former founder of Africa’s best-known hip-hop band Positive Black Soul and now a thriving Senegalese solo artist. An evening not to be missed.

Two days earlier, N'Faly Kouyate will be visiting our Antenna as a teacher of polyphonic singing, one of his many talents. Expect a thorough immersion in various Maningué traditions with their beautiful polyphonic rhythms and sounds. Kouyaté will lead the workshop himself on the kora or balafon.

Everyone is welcome to this immersive workshop; no prior knowledge or special talent is required. Please register in advance, as tickets will not be sold at the door.

The workshop will be conducted in French and English.