Amadou and Mariam give you another chance to see what they're really about live and to assess whether they deserve the hype they're currently enjoying, as they play the North London venue, the HMV Forum, on December 3rd.

This comes a year after the release of their eighth studio album, 'Welcome to Mali'', which features the likes of 'Africionado' Damon Albarn on production as well as Keziah Jones (see 'Blufunk is his Craft' interview with the man).

Last month, after a gig-heavy semester (which included them supporting Blur on their two Hyde Park reunion shows in July, as well as Coldplay during their Viva La Vida world tour), the 'blind couple of Mali', aware of their achievement, released an anthology album, appropriately-titled 'The Magic Couple', which compiles recordings dating as far back as 1979, while they are working on new material, expected for next year.

Tickets for the HMV Forum gig cost £19.25 (+booking fee).

Solange Moffi