Les Filles de Illighadad (“daughters of Illighadad”) was founded in Illighadad, Niger in 2016 by solo guitarist Fatou Seidi Ghali and renowned vocalist Alamnou Akrouni.
In 2017, they were joined by Amaria Hamadalher, a fixture on the Agadez guitar scene, and Abdoulaye Madassane, rhythm guitarist and a son of Illighadad.
Les Filles de Illighadad’s music draws from two distinct styles of regional sound, ancient village choral chants and desert guitar. The result is a groundbreaking new direction for Tuareg folk music and a sound that resonates far outside of their village.
“If you listen long enough, and make yourself open enough, it is possible to reach a kind of holy place while
experiencing the music of the Tuareg quartet.” – The New Yorker
“Fatou Seidi Ghali once had to practise on her brother’s guitar in secret. She and her band, Les Filles de
Illighadad, are now taking the world by storm” – The Guardian
“ Les Filles de Illighadad is Revolutionizing Traditional Tuareg Music” – She Shreds
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