OS MASSUKOS NO REINO UNIDO

Offering up a joyous, irresistible blend of traditional Mozambican sounds, Massukos’ music has been aptly described as “musical sunshine– life-giving, happy music that makes you want to dance”. The band has garnered accolades from the nation’s musical tastemakers, Andy Kershaw, Charlie Gillett and Michael Eavis among them, and is considered a national treasure in Mozambique. Renowned both for their stunning music and the humanitarian work that they do, Massukos use their music to deliver life-saving messages about hygiene, sanitation
and HIV/AIDS. They firmly believe in the power of music to transform, communicate, heal and educate.
Feliciano dos Santos, the bandleader, who is the director and founder of a local NGO, was recently recognized for his remarkable achievements by being awarded the Goldman Environmental Award (April 2008; www.goldmanprize.org). Often referred to as the Nobel Prize for the environment, the award is the world’s largest environmental prize for grassroots activists. Music played a key role in Santos’ innovative approach to fighting for the basic necessities of life.
Massukos have been described as “the new pragmatic face of African activism” and have established an impressive reputation since their formation in 1994 at the start of Mozambique’s peace process. Their first album went gold in Mozambique and their latest release ‘Bumping’
reached number 1 on RDP Africa in Portugal and number 6 in the European World Music Charts. The band were invited to play at WOMAD in 2007 and will be returning to the UK to appear at Glastonbury, Africa Oyé and other festivals and venues. In support of 2008 being the designated UN International Year of Sanitation, the band will continue to focus attention on the issues of clean water and sanitation. Fittingly, one of their gigs will be held at the Ginglik, a former public toilet in West London.

MOZAMBIQUAN SENSATION RETURN TO THE UK PERFORMING AT FESTIVALS & VENUES THROUGHOUT THE UK INCLUDING GLASTONBURY & AFRICA OYE
Further information www.massukos.com Full biography, tour dates, press quotes and footnotes
below. For further information, including interview requests, please contact Ilka Schlockermann on 079 3206 6624 or email ilka@ilkamedia.com

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“A glorious band from Mozambique ... infectious and charming.”

**** The Guardian
“This band are a joy live ... Bright sun-drenched music with enough edge to
keep your mind as well as your feet engaged.” (outstanding)
The Independent

BIOGRAPHY

Massukos’ music preserves the traditional rhythms of Niassa province that were all but extinct after 17 years of civil war. Their first live public performance in 1994 coincided with the start of the peace process. Many of Mozambique’s musicians and artists had fled the country during the war so the band set out to preserve and spread their longestablished musical heritage. They sing in the three common traditional languages – Yao, Nyanga and Makua.
The group’s reputation grew and their music soon captivated international audiences. They made their first international trip to perform at the EXPO 98 in Lisbon, Portugal. Their debut album ‘Kuimba kwa Massuko’ (recorded in 2001) achieved phenomenal domestic sales of 80,000 and sealed their success. Voted Best Album in 2002, it also won a gold disc in 2003. Later that year they were voted Best Group in Mozambique and they then went on to win the
International Prize for Water, Creation and Arts at the Cannes Water Symposium. In 2004, they appeared at the Third World Water Forum in Japan and toured Mozambique with the UK band Empty Boat as part of an awarenessraising event organized by Poo Productions in association with WaterAid UK.
In 2005, the designated “Year of Africa”, Massukos toured the UK, where they played in front of more than 100,000 people at the Make Poverty History Rally in Edinburgh, and performed live on Charlie Gillett’s BBC London radio show.
Other high-profile gigs included BBC Africa Live at the British Museum and the UNICEF Children’s C8 conference in Dunblane.
The UK release of Massukos’ second album ‘Bumping’ coincided with their second UK tour and a main stage performance at WOMAD. The album went to number 6 in the European World Music Charts and number 1 on RDP Africa in Portugal. It was also awarded “Top of the World” by Songlines magazine. In April 2008, Feliciano dos Santos won the Goldman Environmental Prize, the world’s largest environmental award which is often referred to as a Nobel Prize. The band is returning to the UK this summer to continue their work promoting awareness about the
lack of life’s basic necessities in their own country.

Press

“A glorious band from Mozambique ... infectious and charming.” **** The Guardian
“This band are a joy live ... Bright sun-drenched music with enough edge to keep your mind as well as your feet engaged.” (outstanding)

The Independent

“A big Radio 3 YES to Massukos of Mozambique.” Andy Kershaw
“Sheer joy ... a glorious showing.” Songlines (Top of the World album)
“I’m a lucky man to sit in front of music like this.” Charlie Gillett, BBC London
“Massukos, the exuberantly catchy force for good and uplifting torch-bearer for one of the poorest parts of Africa … pretty damn irresistible music.”

fRoots

“A fantastic band.” Michael Eavis, Glastonbury
“Music that is not only phenomenally beautiful but also a powerful force for change.” Rita Ray,

BBC World Service/ The Shrine

“Inspirational musical optimism ... music with the power to bring sunshine and hope wherever it is played.” Fly

Global Music Culture

“Feliciano dos Santos is an inspirational leader who is changing Mozambique. He is unique because he influences people in so many ways. His message and actions are positive, and people of all ages look up to him and want to change themselves and the world they live in.” Ned Breslin, Water for People TOU R DATES see www.massukos.com

Kalabash World, London

Thursday, 19 June 2008
Doors open: 7pm (Massukos on-stage at 10pm, films & talk beforehand)
Admission: donation at door
Address: The Salmon & Compass, 58 Penton Street, Angel, London N1 9PZ; Nearest tube: Angel
Website: www.kalabashworld.com
West End Centre, Aldershot
Friday, 20 June 2008
Doors open: 7pm (Massukos on-stage at 8.30pm)
Admission: £12 (£10 concessions)
Box office telephone: 01252 330040
Address: Queens Road, Aldershot, Hampshire GU11 3JD; Nearest train: Aldershot
Website: www.westendcentre.co.uk
Africa Oyé Festival, Liverpool

Saturday, 21 June 2008
Doors open: 12.30pm (Massukos on-stage at 4.40-5.55pm)
Admission: free
Address: The Review Field, Sefton Park, Liverpool, L17 1AP; Nearest train: Lime St (Merseyrail)
Website: www.africaoye.com
PooP! presents Massukos & Empty Boat at Ginglik, London

Thursday, 26 June 2008
Doors open: 7.30pm (Massukos on-stage at 9.30pm, Empty Boat at 8.30pm)
Admission: £8 (over 21s; please bring photo ID)
Information: 020 8760 7336
Address: 1 Shepherds Bush Green, London W12 8PH; Nearest tube: Shepherds Bush
Website: www.ginglik.co.uk
Glastonbury Festival
Saturday, 28 June 2008
Massukos Jazz/World Stage will perform on the at 2.40pm
Admission: £155 weekend festival ticket
Box office telephone: 0800 079 2008
Address: Worthy Farm, Pilton, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 4BY; Nearest transport: see website for links
Website: www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk
Club Integral presents Insanity at Hackney Empire, London

Sunday, 29 June 2008
Doors open: 7pm (Massukos on-stage at 10pm)
Admission: £10 advance (£12 on door)
Box office telephone: 020 8985 2424
Address: 291 Mare Street, Hackney, London E8 1EJ; Nearest train: Hackney Central overground – see website for links
Website: www.hackneyempire.co.uk
The Bell, Bath

Wednesday, 2 July 2008
Doors open: 7.30pm (Massukos on-stage at 9pm)
Admission: donation
Telephone: 01225 460 426
Address: 103 Walcot St, Bath BA1 5BW; Nearest train: Bath Spa
Website: www.walcotstreet.com

Chilli Fried at Darbucka, London
Thursday, 3 July 2008
Doors open: 8pm (Massukos on-stage at 9.30pm)
Admission: £5 (£3 conc)
Telephone: 020 7490 8772 (no advance tickets but you can reserve a table)
Address: 182 St Johns St, Clerkenwell, London EC1V 4JZ; Nearest tube: Farringdon, Angel
Website: www.chillifried.com
Croydon Summer Festival

Saturday, 12 July 2008
Doors open: 1pm (Massukos on-stage at 5.45pm)
Admission: free
Address: Dance Stage, Lloyd Park, Coombe Road, Croydon CR0 5RD; Nearest train: East Croydon, then tram
Website: www.croydonfestival.com
Rise Festival (London United Against Racism), London
Sunday, 13 July 2008
Doors open: 12pm (Massukos on-stage at 3.30pm)
Admission: free
Address: Finsbury Park, London N4; Nearest tube: Finsbury Park
Website: www.risefestival.org
Rhythms of the World Festival, Hitchin

Sunday, 13 July 2008
Doors open: 11am (Massukos on-stage at 7.45pm)
Admission: £5 (adult); £4 (6–17yrs); free (under 5s)
Tickets from www.rotw.org.uk
Address: Hitchin Priory, Tilehouse St, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG5 2DL; Nearest train: Hitchin
Website: www.rotw.org.uk
footnotes

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION FACTS
• 80 per cent of all illness in the world is attributed to unsafe water and poor sanitation
• Over 2 million people (including 1.5 million children) worldwide die from water-related diseases each year
• An estimated one billion people in the world do not have clean water
• 2.6 billion people worldwide do not have access to adequate sanitation
• More children under five die from water-borne illness than AIDS
• Diarrhoea claims the lives of over 5,000 children a day

ABOUT THE GOLDMAN ENVIRONMENTAL PRIZE

• Founded in 1990, the Goldman Environmental Prize awards $750,000 annually to be shared between the
environmental heroes from six continental regions.
• Nominated confidentially by a worldwide network of renowned environmental organisations and environmental
experts, recipients are chosen for their sustained and important environmental achievements.
• Prize-winners participate in a 10-day tour of San Francisco and Washington, D.C., for an awards ceremony, news conferences, media briefings, and meetings with political, public policy, and environmental leaders.
• For further information, please visit www.goldmanprize.org