The World's Music at Oxford: Akolá Tambó

Free entry, booking required.

Bullerengue is a whirlwind of drums, dancing, songs, percussion and handclaps from the Caribbean coasts of Colombia and Panama. The core of the bullerengue is the rueda – a circle of participants singing together in a unified voice of inclusivity and togetherness, led by the drums: the llamador keeps the dance going while the alegre leads the sound, improvising the whole time. Chants are traded back and forth in call-and-response, extempo shouts, whoops and cheers lift the energy and encourage the dancers as they twirl and shimmy. This beat is ancestral: the roots lie in West Africa, brought to the Americas in the hearts of the stolen people, where it mixed with the traditions of the indigenous population. It is sound and movement to be enjoyed and to stir the emotions, but it is also a ritual, a way-of-life and a community, a trance music to heal body and mind.

Akolá Tambó are the first bullerengue group to be founded outside the style's homeland. The collective was brought together in 2020 by Esteban Card and Valeria Pacific, London-based Colombians inspired to dive deep into their heritage by the voice of the mighty Totó La Momposina. They have already become stalwarts of the London scene, whipping up a fire of intense, driving and joyous music and beautiful, ecstatic dance wherever they choose to beat their drum, move their feet and raise their voices. Passionate, liberating and gloriously unpretentious roots music and dance relevant to 21st century life – Akolá Tambó are one of the rising stars of the UK’s international music sphere, and we can’t wait to bring the infectious sound of bullerengue to Oxford for the first time. Sitting still is not an option!

The doors will open at 6:30pm and the performance will start at 7pm.