Hailing from the Niger town of Agadez, which is known as the gateway to the desert, Etran De L’Aïr capture the pulse of everyday life at weddings, baptisms, political events and outdoor soirees alike. Using three guitars instead of the usual two, Etran’s brand of Sahara blues sounds more live-wired and unfettered than any of their peers. Operating on a grassroots level, they draw more from artists like Oumou Sangaré and Ali Farka Touré than established Tuareg ensembles.