N'Famady Kouyaté

Cardiff based N’famady Kouyaté has been building an enthusiastic UK audience with his unique musical style ever since he relocated to Wales from Guinea in 2019. His primary instrument is the balafon – a traditional wooden xylophone, sacred to West African culture and his family heritage of the griot/djeli, and he fronts an indie/jazz band. N’famady’s music is a blend of his West African heritage and western musical influences from the likes of Super Furry Animals, The Flaming Lips and 9Bach who he has recorded and toured with. His performances create vibrant & joyous atmospheres that are fueled by his charisma and charm onstage, wielding balafon & guitar throughout the show with a masterful ease. Since coming to the UK, N’famady has been playing and touring extensively, with highlights being festival shows at The Great Escape, Celtic Connections, Greenman, SXSW Austin, Latitude main stage and many more. In 2023 he won the Glastonbury Emerging Talent Competition, further signalling the bright future of this rising star.