Oluseun Anikulapo (Seun) Kuti, the youngest son of legendary Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, comes with his father’s band, Egypt 80, to the State Theatre stage on Tuesday, September 9, 2014, at 8:30 PM. Seun began playing with Egypt 80 at eight years old and became its leader upon his father’s death just six years later. About three-quarters of the current band consists of musicians who who played (and joined in political protests, and even went to jail) with Fela.
Seun Kuti and Egypt 80’s show combines homage to Fela’s catalog with Seun’s own compositions and musical innovations to the Afrobeat tradition. Like his father (who Will Hermes of NPR has described as a “weed-puffing folk hero, energetic polygamist, political rabble-rouser and all-around badass,” as well as a groundbreaking composer and bandleader) Seun is both a political activist and original musical voice. There’s thought-provoking content in his lyrics, but the audience is most likely to leave the Theatre thinking “irresistibly exuberant dance band.”
Recent attendees of the State Theatre’s thrilling Tinariwen and Afro-Cuban All-Stars shows will find this one a great followup. If you missed those, Seun Kuti and Egypt 80 will be the perfect make-up introduction to World Music.
Tickets will be priced at $22 for students and $27 for the general public and are available from the Theatre’s box office (814-272-0606) or website. Complete concert information can be found at: http://thestatetheatre.org/seun-kuti-and-egypt-80/. For interviews, stories, press passes, and complimentary tickets please send all requests to Greg@thestatetheatre.org.