(5 / 5)

Review by Tracey Robinson

The Donald Gordon Theatre at Wales Millennium Centre was alive with rhythm, dancing and sheer joy as Orchestra Baobab and Buena Vista All Stars took to the stage at Llais 2026. Bringing together the sounds of Senegal and Cuba, the two bands offered an evening that celebrated music’s ability to cross borders, connect cultures and bring people together.

Founded in Dakar in 1970 as the house band of the Baobab Club, Orchestra Baobab is one of the great names in African music. Its distinctive sound grew out of the Afro-Cuban influences that swept across West Africa, blending Senegalese traditions with Latin rhythms, jazz and blues.

You could feel the excitement as the eight-piece ensemble took to the stage. There was an immediate warmth in the room, and before long the audience was singing, clapping and dancing along.

The set bubbled with joy and a real love of performing. It was wonderful to see such a rich musical legacy brought to life with so much energy, with tradition and youthful spirit sitting effortlessly alongside one another. One of the loveliest moments came when the audience joined in to sing Happy Birthday to the saxophone player. It was a simple gesture, but one that captured the warmth and togetherness of the evening.

Orchestra Baobab’s playing was spellbinding. Interweaving guitars, soulful vocals and the seductive tones of the saxophone, the musicians created a sound that was both smooth and richly layered. Hypnotic Afro-Cuban grooves gave way to irresistible dance rhythms, then eased into slower, more atmospheric passages coloured by jazz and blues. The playing was beautifully in tune, with each musician adding something to the whole.

That was part of the band’s magic: the music could be sophisticated and soulful without ever losing its sense of fun. The energy never felt forced. It flowed naturally between the musicians and out into the audience, until the whole theatre seemed to be caught up in it.

It was a joy to witness a band with such an extraordinary history still sounding so alive. Their performance was a reminder that musical traditions aren’t simply preserved; they keep growing every time they’re played, shared and passed on.

Buena Vista All Stars: Havana comes to Cardiff

If Orchestra Baobab brought Senegalese soul and hypnotic grooves to the theatre, Buena Vista All Stars followed with a glorious helping of Cuban warmth, rhythm and colour.

Led by Buena Vista Social Club original members Barbarito Torres and Demetrio Muñiz, alongside an exceptional line-up of Cuban musicians, the ensemble brought together traditional rhythms and contemporary sounds in a powerful, immersive performance. They transported the audience straight to the heart of Havana.

Among the performers was Cuban trumpeter Manuel Machado, whose playing was a real highlight of the evening. His performance of Machado Blues was full of feeling, with a warm, soulful sound and a lovely blend of jazz and Cuban rhythms. It was a memorable performance that brought the music to life.

A standout moment for me was their Cuban-inspired take on Coldplay’s Clocks. Amanda Gaviria’s vocals and Luis Guerra’s piano playing brought a fresh, salsa-infused energy to the song, transforming a familiar melody into something wonderfully rhythmic and unexpected.

This was far more than a nostalgic trip down memory lane. The music felt fresh, spirited, and full of character. The pleasure the musicians took in playing together was clear in their smiles, exchanges, and easy rapport. Their musicianship was impressive but never showy; the emphasis was on the music and the enjoyment of sharing it. Rolling bass lines, sparkling strings, bright trumpet flourishes and rich vocals conjured the unmistakable sound of Cuban son.

There was a lovely generosity to the performance. These songs carry a remarkable history, yet they never felt stuck in the past. They came alive in the hands of the musicians on stage, their rhythms inviting movement and their melodies drawing the audience in. Sitting still was simply not an option.

Whooping, clapping, shouting, and dancing filled the theatre as the audience responded to the energy pouring from the stage. It was uplifting and gloriously joyful. Whatever our backgrounds or the languages we speak, the instinct to move to a great rhythm is something we can all share.

Two bands, one unforgettable evening

Bringing Orchestra Baobab and Buena Vista All Stars together on the same evening was a real treat. Although each band has its own distinctive sound, the connections between them ran deep. African musical traditions helped shape Cuban music, while Cuban rhythms later travelled back across the Atlantic, influencing musicians in Senegal and other parts of West Africa. Together, the bands created a wonderful musical conversation across continents and generations.

You could feel that connection throughout the evening. Orchestra Baobab drew us in with its smooth, soulful sounds and hypnotic grooves, while Buena Vista All Stars brought a glorious burst of Cuban rhythm, melody and celebration. Each had its own identity, but both shared that wonderful ability to get under your skin and make you feel part of something bigger.

By the end of the evening, the Donald Gordon Theatre had become a place of shared celebration. Both bands showed how music can carry its history while remaining vibrant, evolving, and full of life.

What a pleasure to be there. Llais 2026 gave us a night filled with jazz, blues, soul, rhythm, dancing, and genuine connection. Sometimes the best live music doesn’t need to be explained. You feel it in the room, see it in the faces around you, and find yourself swept along with everyone else. It’s a reminder of the extraordinary things that happen when music brings us together.