Celebrated Saharan collective and staunch ambassadors for the Touareg people, Tinariwen share their latest single, ‘Azawad’, out now via the Wedge imprint. An emotive, dreamlike paean, coasting on the distorted thrum of the group’s trademark axe licks, the song takes its title from the predominantly Touareg area of Northern Mali and confronts the plague of terrorism continuing to choke the region, giving rise to acute political and humanitarian issues.

With their ancient culture under threat as never before, Tinariwen have penned some of their most striking lyrics, highlighting the plight of the Touareg people and its imperilled ways of life, decrying: ‘Azawad and its children watch as the rebellion begins to emerge. The forces of Azawad protect its leaders and its territory. A revolution that all the sons of Azawad salute, and of which the martyrs are the victims.’

The group are currently embarked on a monumental world tour, which sees them take their songs of struggle, resistance and freedom to the international stage, with stop-offs in Australasia, North America and Europe, as well as UK dates at the Green Man Festival, Brecon Beacons, Wales (August 17), The Hall, Aviva Studios, Manchester (August 26) and the BBC Proms at Royal Albert Hall, London (August 28).

For more info and full tour details visit tinariwen.com