With their long desert robes and Tuareg turbans or shesh, Tinariwen are the originators of what’s become known as ‘desert blues’, a style of music they themselves call ‘assuf’ which also means ‘longing’ or ‘homesickness’ in the Tamasheq language. 

Tinariwen draw people into their growling vocals, spacey guitar lines and clapping rhythms. Over the past two decades, they’ve been popular and regular guests at festivals all around the world where they’ve done a lot to raise awareness about Tuareg culture and identity.