Youssou N’Dour & Le Super Étoile de Dakar

Overview

Senegalese music icon and Grammy Award winner Youssou N’Dour takes the stage alongside his celebrated band, Le Super Étoile de Dakar, and the UAE’s Liwa Maritime Ensemble for an extraordinary concert celebrating the power of music to connect cultures. N’Dour’s soulful voice and infectious mbalax rhythms meet the rich musical traditions of the UAE’s coast, where call-and-response vocals, rhythmic percussion, handclaps and the distinctive sound of the double-reed surnai create a mesmerising dialogue between two musical worlds. Presented by Ideas Abu Dhabi in partnership with Abu Dhabi Festival, this cross-cultural encounter celebrates the shared spirit of music, storytelling and heritage.

Artists

Youssou N’Dour

Youssou N’Dour is a Grammy Award-winning Senegalese singer, songwriter and cultural icon, celebrated as one of Africa’s most influential musical voices. Renowned for bringing Senegal’s vibrant mbalax sound to international audiences, he has built an extraordinary career spanning more than four decades, blending traditional West African rhythms with pop, jazz and soul. His collaborations with international artists, including Peter Gabriel, Sting and Neneh Cherry, have helped establish his global reputation, while his distinctive voice and socially conscious music continue to resonate across generations. Beyond the stage, N’Dour is a passionate advocate for humanitarian causes and African culture, using his international platform to champion social change.

Le Super Étoile de Dakar

Founded in 1981 by Youssou N’Dour following his departure from the pioneering group Étoile de Dakar, Le Super Étoile de Dakar has played a defining role in shaping the sound of modern Senegalese music. The band became a driving force behind the rise of mbalax, an energetic genre that fuses traditional Wolof percussion, including sabar and tama rhythms, with electric guitars, synthesisers and influences from Latin music, jazz and pop. Through its innovative sound and performances on international stages, Le Super Étoile de Dakar has helped introduce Senegal’s rich musical heritage to audiences around the world.

Liwa Maritime Ensemble

The Liwa Maritime Ensemble is an Emirati cultural group dedicated to preserving the UAE’s rich seafaring heritage and traditional performing arts. Drawing on the rhythmic songs once performed by pearl divers and sailors, the ensemble brings the centuries-old Liwa tradition to life through powerful percussion, expressive vocals and the distinctive sound of the mizmar woodwind instrument. Combining traditional Khaleeji music with contemporary collaborations, the ensemble is a regular fixture at The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi, introducing the UAE’s maritime heritage to new audiences.