Youssou N’Dour and his guests help fight malaria

On October 8, the Geneva Arena played host to the United Against Malaria concert. It was staged to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. The host was none other than Youssou N’Dour.
Among the guests were artists like Neneh Cherry and Anggun. (Former) members of Peter Gabriel’s band such as David Rhodes and Manu Katche were also invited. Peter Gabriel himself was also present. He had announced beforehand that he was going to sing a couple of songs.

When the show began, Youssou N’Dour welcomed the guests in the sold-out Arena in Geneva (photo left). He then pointed out the importance of the fight against malaria, an illness that receives less attention than other diseases – despite a depressing number of casualties on the African continent. Together with other artists, Youssou wants to raise awareness for the problem so that more (financial) aid will be directed towards affected areas.

See the official web site for more information on United Against Malaria.

A highlight of the concert was the touching performance of Youssou N’Dour and Neneh Cherry who played their world-wide hit duet 7 Seconds. Most of the other numbers were rather less well-known.

Peter Gabriel was joined by Anggun for a gripping duet of Don’t Give Up before the host Youssou N’Dour supported him on the vocals for Gabriel’s great In Your Eyes and Biko. Manu Katché did the drumming. He was last heard drumming for Peter on the Secret World Tour, although he is also on UP.

At the end of the show Peter and all the artists who had performed that night sang Roll Back Malaria, a song Youssou N’Dour wrote especially for the event. Unfortunately, it was included in neither audio stream (see below).

There are currently a number of minor audio and video snippets from the performances available on the net. Follow this link for two to three minute video spots. From top to bottom click to see (a) excerpts from the concert proper with Peter Gabriel, (b) excerpts from Gabriel’s sound check and (c) a brief interview with Youssou N’Dour and Stephan Eicher. The latter link offers (at 1’45h, labelled Down Town Boogie) the first part of Peter’s performance as audiostream (Don’t Give Up and the first two thirds of In Your Eyes). If you click on Résidence you can can hear the end of In Your Eyes followed by Biko right at the beginning of the audiostream

Author: Christian Gerhardts
Translated by Martin Klinkhardt