Bombino, the Tuareg desert-rock guitarist from Niger, whose 2013 LP was one of Rolling Stone’s Top 50 albums of 2013, is celebrating his newly erased album Azel at The Forge this June. Bombino represents Tuareg music and his tribe have long been recognised as warriors, traders and travellers across the Sahara Desert - people of grace and nobility as well as fighters of fierce reputation. With this new album, Bombino has created Tuareggae - a sunny blend of Tuareg blues/rock with reggae one-drop and bounce. Another is the first-ever use of Western vocal harmonies in recorded Tuareg music (due to Dave Longstreth from American band and Pitchfork favourites The Dirty Projectors’ influence), which give the songs new depth and colour. The band he’s touring with across Europe are tighter and more energetic than ever. The result is Bombino's best, most well-rounded and groundbreaking album to date: Azel. His sound will be as familiar to fans of Dire Straits as to fans of world music and reggae. This is the crossover gig of the summer. Over 16s must be accompanied by an adult. Valid ID may be required.