ALSARAH AND THE NUBATONES

Alsarah and the Nubatones graced XP Music Futures with their heart-warming East African retro pop melodies and rhythms as part of this year’s FEMME FEST showcase. By paying homage to the many sounds of their native Sudan (and beyond), Alsarah and the Nubatones are, as lead singer Sarah Mohamed AbunamaElGadi puts it, “interested in decentering the West from the conversation surrounding music from our regions.” Performing old-and-new crowd favorites including ‘Habibi Taal’ and ‘3yan T3ban’, Sarah performed her latest solacing ode-to-home single ‘Men Ana’ (انا نم), alongside her sister, keys and supporting vocalist Nahid, bassist Mawuena Kodjovi, percussionist Rami El-Aasser, and oud player Brandon Terzic— ALSARAH AND THE NUBATONES evoked a beautiful, nostalgic, and fuzzy feeling, rousing their XP audience.