Shredded balafon and hard beats from Mali

+ DJ sets from Afrodesi & General Bench

Siaka Traoré, a.k.a. Pcha, is part of a new generation redefining the sound of Mali. Born in Sikasso and raised in a family of master musicians — his father is balafon legend Neba Solo — Pcha absorbed tradition early, then flipped it on its head. Now based in Bamako, he’s pushing balafon into bold new territory, fusing its hypnotic melodies with amapiano log drums, afrobeats bounce and club-ready electronics. His breakout track ‘N’ma Wili Fôlô’ (“I’ve not even begun”) feels like a mission statement — a warning shot from an artist moving fast and thinking bigger.

On stage, Pcha is pure electricity. His virtuosic, high-speed balafon playing sparks like fireworks, locking in with Seydou Kiénou’s explosive rhythms across djembe, tama and congas. Alongside them, Bristol-based DJ Joeti drives the pulse with infectious live mixing, looping and bass-heavy club energy — bridging Bamako and UK soundsystem culture in real time. The result is a high-impact, joy-filled live show: fast, loud, uplifting and impossible to stand still to.

Still in his early ascent, Pcha isn’t just carrying a legacy — he’s rewriting it for a global dancefloor.