Youssou Ndour

The voice of a national hero

One of the most celebrated African artists of our time, Grammy Award-winner Youssou Ndour, will bring his world-music block party to the Concert Hall stage in March when he makes his unmissable Sydney Opera House debut.

Ndour's first visit to Sydney in 14 years promises to be a vast celebration of music featuring some of Senegal’s best singers, dancers and musicians, including his band Le Super Étoile de Dakar. Ndour’s euphoric music blends hip-hop, soul and jazz with traditional Sengalese Mbalax rhythms, a genre he has pioneered.

A national hero for more than three decades, Ndour began performing at the age of 12 and has since established his own studio, record label, radio station and nightclub. Activist, entrepreneur, occasional actor and politician, he has toured the world with peers ranging from Springsteen to Sting, run for President, and campaigned for the freedom of Nelson Mandela.

Australian audiences will be familiar with Ndour’s work with Paul Simon, Peter Gabriel, and the millions-selling 1994 duet 7 Seconds with Neneh Cherry

Sydney Opera House Head of Contemporary Music, Ben Marshall, calls Ndour one of the world’s greatest singers.

“Youssou Ndour is a titan in his field and a genuine musical force for good. Having first come across his astounding voice through Peter Gabriel, nothing prepared me for the sheer magnetic force, charisma and musicality of his live performance,” Mr Marshall said.

"Come prepared for the greatest figure in African music to absolutely own our biggest room with an inimitable onstage explosion of joy, reverence and power."

Youssou Ndour plays Sydney Opera House on Wednesday 28 March 2018, at 8pm.