Bwani Junction

Playing a hometown show, but sounding like they’ve jetted in from the transvaal, Edinburgh’s Bwani Junction are something of a conundrum. Given that their indie rock sound is heavily influenced by jit or afrobeat, they have already picked up inevitable and lazy comparisons with Vampire Weekend – who themselves were accused of riping off Paul Simon circa Graceland. (Younger reader may recall Simon himself being taken to task over his plundering of the African continent – his album did expose many artists from that continent to the world (not ‘World’) market, even if the coffee table set mostly stopped with the Grammy winners’ sanitised/Westernised take on the style rather than exploring further.)

So. Cutting out the middle man, Bwani Junction’s sound is from that musical area where Africa meets Scotland. Which could easily be the Bhundu Boys, but let’s say the Four Brothers and Orange Juice. Which means a joyous jangle to their live sound, as they transport us to foreign parts with ‘Middle Meadow’ a standout live tune, its lively danceability turning a rammed Sneaky’s into a sweatbox. It’s not all about unabashed fun however, lyrically they’re smart and even delve into politics on ‘Today’s Crusades’.

It’d not be going too far to describe the response as rapturous, as they invite some audience members to come onstage for a Adumu-tinged ceilidh. As the final notes ring out, one intrepid traveler grabs the mike. “Bwani Bwani Bwani fucking Junction”. And we’re back home.