Tuareg guitarist Mdou Moctar will make his voice heard on his forthcoming album Funeral for Justice. Out May 3rd via Matador Records, the most politically charged work yet from the guitarist and his namesake band directly confronts colonialism and failed leadership in their home country of Niger, West Africa.
Wednesday’s album and tour announcement arrived alongside Funeral for Justice‘s title track, a blazing psychedelic opening roar. Even without the lyrical translation, the track brims with fury as cascading fuzzy guitar leads collide with incessant drum downbeats. With the lyrical translation, the song elevates to a scathing anthem of activism, as Moctar asks his government, “Dear African leaders, hear my burning question / Why does your ear only heed France and America? / They misled you into giving up your lands / They delightfully watch you in your fraternal feud.”
“This album is really different for me,” Moctar said of his follow-up to 2021’s Afrique Victime. “Now the problems of terrorist violence are more serious in Africa. When the US and Europe came here, they said they’re going to help us, but what we see is really different. They never help us to find a solution.”
The problems Moctar speaks out against on Funeral for Justice have had a very real impact on the band, which also features bassist/producer Mikey Coltun, rhythm guitarist Ahmoudou Madassane, and drummer Souleymane Ibrahim. While touring the U.S. last year, a military coup overthrew Niger’s democratically elected government, stranding the band in the U.S. for several months. The band finished recording Funeral for Justice shortly before the coup.
“I don’t support the coup,” Moctar said at the time, “but I never in my life liked France in my country. I don’t hate France or French people, I don’t hate American people either, but I don’t support their manipulative policies, what they do in Africa. In 2023 we want to be free, we need to smile, you understand?”
Mdou Moctar will take Funeral for Justice throughout the U.S. this summer with a newly announced tour. After playing Coachella in April, the headlining tour will kick off on June 5th in Atlanta City. The trek focuses primarily on the eastern United States along with some Midwest dates, going as far west as Chicago (6/18). After dates in Detroit (6/19), Cleveland (6/20), Boston (6/23), Brooklyn (6/26), Washington, D.C. (6/27), and more, the tour will wrap in Philadelphia (6/28). Tickets for all headlining shows go on sale on Friday, March 1st at 10 a.m. local time. See below for a full list of dates and visit the band’s website for tickets.
Check out the title track to Mdou Moctar’s new album Funeral for Justice, available here for pre-order.
Mdou Moctar – “Funeral For Justice” [Official Video]
