Rock Monsters Romania

On Thursday, October 16, Tuareg folk hero and guitar luminary Bombino comes to Control Club booked by OneDay Live bringing with him the hypnotic pulse of the Sahara.

The Niger-born artist, the first-ever GRAMMY nominated musician from his country is set to enchant once again with his signature blend of desert blues, Saharan rock, and deeply rooted Tuareg tradition.

From the Desert to the World

Born Omara “Bombino” Moctar in Tidene, Niger, Bombino’s story is one of exile, resilience, and artistic evolution. Fleeing conflict as a child during the Tuareg Rebellion, he found solace in the guitar a symbol of both resistance and identity. Inspired by Jimi Hendrix and Dire Straits’ Mark Knopfler, he developed a distinctive style that bridges Saharan folk traditions and the universal language of rock.

Bombino’s breakthrough came with the 2011 album Agadez (Cumbancha), which topped the iTunes World Chart and introduced his transcendent sound to global audiences. His 2013 release Nomad, produced by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys, propelled him onto the international stage, earning acclaim for his virtuosity and soulful authenticity.

The Sound of Rebellion and Return

Throughout his career, Bombino’s music has served as both a weapon and a balm defying oppression while celebrating Tuareg heritage. His 2018 album Deran (Partisan Records), recorded in Casablanca, earned him a GRAMMY nomination for Best World Music Album, marking a historic moment for Niger. Critics hailed him as “the Sultan of Shred” (The New York Times) and “the world’s best guitarist” (Noisey).

Now, Bombino returns with Sahel (Partisan Records, 2023) his most personal and politically charged album to date. Named after the vast African region that shaped his identity, Sahel explores themes of cultural survival, loss, and renewal.

Produced by David Wrench (David Byrne, Frank Ocean, Caribou, The xx), Sahel presents Bombino’s sound not as an artifact, but as a living expression of the present: raw, rhythmic, and timeless. As Wrench notes, “The rhythms are all in 3s instead of 4s hypnotic and relentless, not a million miles away from techno.”

Expect an evening where desert blues meets hypnotic grooves a rare chance to experience one of the world’s most captivating guitarists live on stage.

Tickets are available here.

Booked by OneDay Live