The American Folk Festival on the Bangor Waterfront announced on Friday four more musical acts set to perform at this year’s event, set for Aug. 28-30. They include four bands playing genres including West African music, gospel, Louisiana Creole and Newfoundland folk.
Tal National, from the country of Niger, performs music that is described as “joyously hypnotic” and a highly unique contribution to West African guitar music. The sixteen members that make up the group rotate vocalists and perform with lightning fast rhythms, delivered with virtuoso precision and unrelenting energy. Tal National released a new album this year called “Zoy Zoy,” and was featured on NPR’s “Songs We Love” in March; they performed at the Space Gallery in Portland in April 2015.
Sensational Royal Lights have traveled the country for more than 50 years singing the Gospel. The nine-member group hails from Cordtown, Maryland with all but one of the vocalists coming from the same family. The Sensational Royal Lights are known for their tight vocal harmonies, toe tapping tempos, and inspirational messages that continue to entertain crowds after more than half-a-century of performances.
Creole United is a group of bandleaders that represent three generations of Creole Music culture. Creole United uses classic Creole Music styles of the past, along with Creole French and new Creole standards. The six-piece band mixes old-time accordion styles with newer Creole sounds of rock solid harmonies and modern drum beats.
The Dardanelles say they have been “changing the way you think about traditional music since 2009.” The group of twenty-somethings is from Newfoundland and blends the energy of a 3-piece punk rock band with the styles of traditional folk acts. Despite being relatively new to the scene, The Dardanelles have brought their dynamic live show to international festivals as far away as Glasgow and Australia. Their latest album “The Eastern Light” has been called “a thoroughly satisfying, dynamic experience from beginning to end.”
These four acts join previously announced artists Wylie & the Wild West, Preston Shannon, Mickey Galyean & Cullen’s Bridge and ImamyarHasanov.