Beloved DC-based Ethiopian musician and superstar Hailu Mergia and his backing band from Brooklyn, Low Mentality, will grace the Atlas Performing Arts Center stage in Washington, DC this Saturday, November 22 for a rare appearance. Following his critically acclaimed reissue, Hailu Mergia’s Shemonmuanaye/ Classical Instrument reissue on Awesome Tapes From Africa last year, the legendary keyboardist and accordion player has had quite a busy year performing on stages across Europe and North America to very warm receptions.
Hailu started making headlines again when another reissue from his past, Tche Belew, featuring The Walias Band, was released in October, 2014. The album is significant in that it represents “a critical chapter in Ethiopian popular music, taking place during a period of music industry flux and political complexity in the country,” not to mention that original pressings can fetch upwards of $4,000 on online record auctions.
On Saturday concertgoers will be treated to Hailu Mergia’s music as he takes center stage at Atlas surrounded and supported by his current co-conspirators, Low Mentality from Brooklyn. Expect to hear many of Hailu’s Ethiojazz classics reworked and delivered with funk-laced enthusiasm by this younger cast of musicians that he’s been working with in the last year.
Appearances by Hailu Mergia are few and far between in Washington, DC, though he tours internationally more and more. To commemorate his only second DC appearance since his resurgence in 2013, Atlas is hosting a reception before and after the concert where fans can mingle about the lobby, listen to Electric Cowbell’s DJ Crown Vic spin vinyl records from around the world, sample Ethiopian cuisine courtesy of Ethiopic Restaurant, and meet-and-greet Hailu Mergia and his band.
You can read our interview with Hailu Mergia from February 2014 and learn more about his amazing journey here.
Hailu Mergia and Low Mentality will perform at the Atlas Performing Arts Center this Saturday, November 22. Tell us why we should send YOU to Saturday’s show on us and our friends at Atlas Performing Arts Center will choose the 2 most enthusiastic voices on Thursday at 9AM for 2 pairs of tickets each—2 total per person! So…go! Leave a comment below!
Tickets are still available!
