Angelique Kidjo’s Remain in Light

One of the African continent’s most influential figures reimagines The Talking Heads’ classic 1980 album.

Three-time Grammy winner, and one of the African continent’s most influential figures performing for the first time in the UAE, Angélique Kidjo reimagines Remain in Light, with electrifying rhythms, African guitars, and layered backing vocals, joined by the Antibalas Horns. The project, which premiered to broad acclaim at NY’s Carnegie Hall, and was one of the standout performances at Bonnaroo, makes its UAE debut.

Listen to Angelique Kidjo’s Once in a Lifetime

“As _Remain In Light was influenced by the music of my continent, I want to pay back the homage and create my own African take on Talking Heads songs. We all know that rock music came from the blues and thus from Africa. Now is the time to bring rock back to Africa, connect our minds and bring all our sounds to a new level of sharing and understanding.”_ – Angelique Kidjo

Africa’s greatest living female vocalist, a dynamic live performer and celebrated philanthropist and activist, Kidjo’s far-ranging music vision incorporates the music of her native Benin with pan-African styles, funk, rock, jazz, sacred, and influences from Brazil, Cuba, and Haiti. She’s collaborated with many of the world’s most notable artists, including Carlos Santana, Alicia Keys, Dave Matthews, Ziggy Marley, Philip Glass, Peter Gabriel, Bono, John Legend, Kronos Quartet, Cassandra Wilson and the Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra.

“Africa rapturously reclaimed rock…mutual respect, playful cross-references and sheer pleasure, as Ms. Kidjo repatriated the grooves in the songs and threaded African words and melodies directly through them….Kidjo wasn’t toppling an icon; she was dancing on its heights.” – NY Times

“The power of Kidjo’s unflappable voice, the range of her emotional expression, the stellar, genre-bending musicians who back her and the infectious, activist energy that courses through her songs all transcend any native tongue.” – NPR Music

Just added: opening DJ set by DJ Cory of Centric Music at 7pm

Off The Stage

Feb 4 @ 12pm – Artist Talk
Through the Lens of Cultural Appropriation
Angélique Kidjo
Snacks will be provided
Angelique Kidjo will have a conversation with NYUAD theater faculty member Awam Amkpa about her work.
More info and sign up

Feb 4 @ 6:30pm – Vocal Workshop
Vocal Techniques and Inspiration
Angélique Kidjo
Experience level: Intermediate upwards
Participants will be guided through some of the specialized vocal techniques that Angelique Kidjo uses intermixed with stories about her career and inspiration to sing.
More info and sign up

See the Study Guide click here.

“Talking Heads’ Remain in Light was a revolution of pop music innovation, pushing sonic boundaries with sampled and looped grooves inspired by legendary Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti. Songs like “Crosseyed and Painless”, “Once in a Lifetime,” and “Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On)” saw Talking Heads and producer Brian Eno experimented with African polyrhythms while simultaneously drawing lyrical inspiration from African academic literature. Certified gold by the RIAA and consistently ranked among the most important and influential albums of all time, Remain In Light remains an eternal milestone, its brave vision and extraordinary power still as daring and innovative as ever before.” – Glide magazine

Presented in partnership with the NYUAD Music Program, NYUAD Film and New Media Program, and African Studies at NYUAD

Angelique Kidjo’s Remain in Light

Past Event

One of the African continent’s most influential figures reimagines The Talking Heads’ classic 1980 album.