Rokia Koné and Boubacar Samaké

Expect an evening of pure, unadulterated soul delivered by one of West Africa's most compelling voices: the renowned Malian singer, Rokia Koné.

Affectionately nicknamed 'The Rose of Bamako,' Koné is a force of nature. Her captivating sound soars above infectious Mande guitar grooves and traditional percussion, carrying an emotional weight that runs the gamut from joy and love to fury and resilience. Having gained global acclaim for her work with the feminist supergroup Les Amazones d'Afrique, she now brings her stunning solo material—a brilliant fusion of her rich griot heritage with a modern, dynamic edge—to Glasgow.

This is more than a concert; it's a deep, warming dive into the heart of Malian tradition and modern innovation. For world music lovers, or anyone searching for an unforgettable experience to banish the January chill, this intimate night is an unmissable moment of pure connection.

Boubacar Samake, son of the late Malian music legend Sibiri Samake, carries forward the deep spiritual tradition of Mali’s ‘donso’ (hunter) music — a lineage of ritual melodies and rhythms played for courage, healing, and connection to the natural world. A virtuoso of the ngoni, the plucked lute at the heart of donso music, Boubacar is also one half of electro-afro innovators Siraba. At Celtic Connections, he unveils a new trio with Louis Campbell (electric guitar, from alt-folk duo Spafford Campbell) and master percussionist Seydou Kienou from Burkina Faso, whose djembe, calabash, and karagnan bring a visceral, ancient pulse. Together, they reframe this ancestral sound in a hypnotic, blues-tinged dialogue that bridges West African tradition and modern experimentation.