Across Europe and Latin America Manu Chao is the biggest musical event since The Beatles. Manu is a rare artist, one who can appear all things to all people. For some he's the saviour of rock'n'roll. To others he's the future of world music. The No Logo crowd wish to see him as leading the anti-globalisation movement. He's even been called 'the new Bob Marley'. For many he's simply making the best popular music on the planet at the moment and in his wake he has inspired musicians across Europe and Latin America.
Born in Paris in 1961 to Spanish Republican parents, Manu first fronted Mano Negra, the pioneering, multicultural French rock band who existed from 1986 to 1994. Often described as 'the French Clash', Mano Negra blended punk ethics and global musical styles. A tour of Colombia by train finished off Mano Negro - Manu packed his bags and shifted to Spain. A period of prolonged travel found Manu in Brazil, Peru, Chile, North Africa, Senegal and Mali. Recordings made on a portable eight track were released in 1998 as Clandestino. Quickly recognised as a seminal disc, Clandestino's songs are about love, sun, marijuana and Latin American suffering with Manu swapping tongues, Spanish to French to English. It began as an underground hit then went overground selling more than five million copies worldwide.
Manu escaped encroaching celebrity by returning to travelling, acoustic guitar and porta-studio in backpack. In 2001 he released Proxima Estation: Esperanza. A wonderfully ragged album it quickly topped charts across Europe and Latin America with his extremely infectious blend of ska rhythms, Latin horns and rock'n'roll stylings. Eclectric, eccentric, melodic and great fun, his music sparkles with life. Manu's latest album Radio Bemba Sound System is a live collection named after his band. Play this record and you will find Manu Chao an effective substitute to espresso. He won the Boundary Crossing Award at the inaugural 2002 Awards for World Music.
Garth Cartwright, October 2003
Read other peoples comments
Manu please come to Toronto!!! I WANNA DANCE PATCHANKA!!!
Harold
This guy's stuff is excellent. He should come to Portland, OR USA. Or, at least Seattle, WA.
RTW
pretty amazing music and quite the righteous person
Kurt
if you guys like Manu, check out Mano Negra, his former band, he also played with Todos Tus Muertos from Argentina.
carlos
his music and lyrics are so full of life;I heard him the first time in Santiago, spain back in 99 and could not stop listenning to clandestino after that!I wonder when is his coming concert!?
wissam
i love this beautiful man with gorgeous soul too! anyone know when his next gig is?
kathy
So, I've seen the same question over and over - with no answer. Does anybody have a concert schedule?
Host replies
No shows planned as far as I can tell. Keep an eye on:
http://www.manuchao.net/
skelebob
Manu's music expresses the Latin spirit. His lyrics and sounds moves the soul...COLOMBIA LOVES YOU MANU!!! :)
Clara
I want to go to a Manu concert ASAP!!!!!
He is the most fantastic, most frenetic, complete joie de vivre that I feel: love, travel, freedom!!!!Manu,nagy vagy!!!!
arcobaleno20
Same question as everyone elsr, where is he playing next?
foolish badger
What can I say that hasn't been said already about Manu Chao and his music? I think he's great, original, and his music intoxicating. I was introduced to Manu from a friend who lives in Veracruz, Mexico. It was funny to realize at the time that he wrote a song about Tijuana, Mexico because at the time I was living about 30 minutes away from the busiest border town in the world - I was living in San Diego, California. Now I live in Gainesville, FL and nobody here knows about him. Fortunately for his fans, we can access much of his music online.
Gabby
where ever is he gona play live act?
adamke
NEEEEEED to see Manu Chao Live !!! Anybody know if hes touring England, France or anywhere in Europe >?>?
Craig
I just recently came across Manu and his music. I love the fact that every song is completly original. I am lookin for another one of his albums. Being from arkansas hasn't made it easy to find his stuff locally. Any suggestions anyone?
ryan
There isn't enought words to diskribe how do I feel when I'm listening to Manu Chao.He is simply the BEST!!!
Marijana
I scream you scream we all scream for manu chao! we love you so much manu... but you it's too many of us all around the world and manu is only one man( a monkeyman)! so we better feel his vibe, get inspired and become the kings of bongo in our town! we are all manu! just listen to the beat, the natural beat and don't stop to rock people!!
rastadilo
check out manuchao.net last year he released a new record. there is a hub that share manu chao bootlegs if anyone is interested
kimbo
They aren't just a great band.. also a worldpic for many of us
Johannes
manu chao concert in athens was defently my best concert i ve ever been..so many people..the place was fantastic as well(in a beach)..lets all hope to see him again..
nikoz
King of the Bongo!
Hope to see you alive in either UK or Croatia!
Live long!!!
Omer Hadziselimovic
Where is Manu the last years??i haven't heard news of him for the last 2,5 years,is he recording a new album?does anybody know?when radio bemba will going to tour again?i can't wait 4 years with no manu chao new song,i wish he release something or to tour...
manos
I want to know when and where is Manu Chao's next concert?!
TB
HI!
i really really NEED to go to a concert of manus!!! this is the only music that can drive me INSANE. at home i cant listen to him much because i have to have manu LOUD, but i live in germany, and the neighbors hammer on the walls when i start it. I NEED A CONCERT im deprived of good music!! if someone knows about a europe concert in summer 2005 or 06 PLEAAASE let me know!
asha
hi all fans!
i live in sweden nd i have spent two years trying to find out where i can find a concert scheduale or something. i really love his music and it would be sooooooo gret to see him live, i don't think i can die with a smile on my lips without having seen him performe live. HELP ME ! peace and love/victoria
nomorebu
I have been followig Manu chao since his debut, and although i think he is one of the most inspiring and free artists i dont think this particular song does him justice. I have seen him live on many occasions and can safly say that you would be missing the night of your life if you should skip it...
Isabel
I forgot to say I really want to see him in concert. I think his music powerful and fun. I look forward to a US tour and to read more about him and his thoughts.
Jennifer Meharg
I love his music. I love his ideas. I know people like to compare him to Bob Marley, and I see that, but for me he's like Neil Young...A voice for the people.
Jennifer Meharg
I came across manu chao when the bbc recorded them at glastonbury and now I listen to manu's music every day I intend to see him perform live one day
kevin
Manu Chao... PLEASE COME TO CANADA!!! We love you all over the country, but especially come to Toronto! PLEASE, PLEASE!!
Amanda Reed
I am the biggest Manu fan in Colorado, USA - most people here don't even know about what I consider some of the best,powerful music I've ever heard in my life. Hearing his live album, I'd give anything to see him live. I can't seem to get onto the official site - can anyone help me here? I haven't been able to find a concert schedule anywhere online. Any help would be much appreciated!!!
Jesse
Saw Manu Chao last summer in Dublin. Best performance i've ever seen. Im really disappointed he isnt playin again this summer
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The Dogs B****ks
Tush
when i first heard mala vida, i loved it so much that i was listening to it 20 hours a day for allmost a week. i was in the concert in Athens/Greece and i am waitting for his next concert in Athens.
maria maria
Glastonburys concert was one of the times where you just need to get a copy of the music manu were playing. A time where your hairs just stand up from the fantastic music hitting your body!
Johnny
°Ώ±τΓ©!
Benja
I agree with Jacob, I too was at the Corn Exchange and it was a magical night. Best gig I've been to. I first heard Manu Chao whilst visiting my fiance in Chile and he really opened my introverted British eyes to the amount of fantastic Latino music around.
Escudo
I agree with this article. Manu Chao is great... he doesn't need a commercial campaign to sell his music. This is the way it should always be for an artist.
Esteban
Esteban
Fantastic music that really makes you want to move. Definitely has the feel-good factor. Love it!
Hannah
Mixture of spanish and French styles, quick-rysum,romatic and dynamic.
However, some musics just copy from the existed melody, Manu Chao is copying himself too much, need more time creating more new music instead of producing commercial pop-music.
Nancy Chian
With my band Zuba, we supported Manu in the Corn Exchange, Edinburgh, and it was a rare experience to see him on stage , I think the most impressive gig I've ever seen, with 3000 people jumping and sweating together for 2h30! This gig was a lesson for us, a fountain of inspiration!
Jacob, Zuba
Hey Manu !
You should do a Gira mundo Tour again ...i have to came to Rio de Janeira ...to Santa Tereza
Brazil
Giordano Almeida
me too, he is a great artist and is expressing his feelings and personal message to the world in a brilliant and vibrant way
Lizzie
I love manu chao!!! i only wish to go see him live in concert.. i missed the one in edinburgh!! please do another one!
Alastair
