Afrobeats Artist Gasper Nali & His One-String Babatoni Bass Guitar UK Tour

North Malawi’s Gasper Nali is bringing his one-man band tour to the UK for a series of 21 performances. Supporting him is celebrated Reggae Poet Michael Mountain.

Acclaimed by the likes of Songlines and RootsWorld, Nali is known for his unique energetic dance music played on his homemade one-string Babatoni. Thought to be the largest of its kind in the world, Nali’s custom build makes it unique amongst the already rare instrument.

“This guitar I make myself. The name is babatoni. I also bring that mgolo (large bass drum). I cut two pieces out of an old oil barrel, one for the mgolo and the other for the guitar, and then I add the bluegum (eucalyptus fretboard) and wrap them with cow skins. And I make a kick pedal to beat the drum. You cannot buy a babatoni, that’s why I make it all myself” – Gasper Nali

Gasper Nali’s success as an international touring artist would be a dream come true for most artists, but for Nali it seemed especially impossible. Coming from rural Northern Malawi, a particularly poor African region, Gasper originally performed with his two brothers where they’d busk in nearby villages. After their tragic passing, Gasper was left to continue the band’s legacy alone.

After a video of him posted to social media garnered over 18m views, Gasper came to the attention of music project manager Mattias Stålnacke who paired with the artist to professionally record his music. The pair are still working together and to date have over 1m streams on Spotify alone.

Gasper Nali will be performing across the UK in September and October. Tour dates available below:

TOUR SHOW:

Chidham – The Old Malthouse – 30^th Sep

Bournemouth – Arts by the Sea – 01^st Oct

Portsmouth – The Lens – 01^st Oct

Cambourne – Cambourne Library – 04^th Oct

London – Green Note – 06^th Oct

Suffolk – John Peel Centre – 07^th Oct

Colchester – Colchester Arts – 08^th Oct

Settle – Victoria Hall – 10^th Oct

Bury – Bury Met – 11^th Oct

Hebden Bridge – Trades Club – 12^th Oct

Newcastle Upon Tyne – Star & Shadow Cinema – 13^th Oct

Glasgow – Hug & Pint – 14^th Oct

Brighton – The Rose Hilll – 18^th Oct

Manchester – The Vale – 19^th Oct

Isle of Man – Centenary Arts – 20^th Oct

Whitby – Musicport Festival – 21^st Oct

Northampton – Gabribadi Hotel – 22^nd Oct

Liverpool – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall – 25^th Oct

Weston-super-Mare – Loves Café – 26^th Oct

Bristol – Lost Horizon – 27^th Oct

Aberystwyth – Art Centre – 28^th Oct

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GasperNaliOfficial

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/Gasper_Nali

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gasper_nali/

Website: https://www.gaspernali.com

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1iv2bmWnUifiDuSrZq8FeC

Youtube: https://youtube.com/