Drums along the Rideau

Still wandering about between stages, I decided to go and see The Mighty Popo, a local stalwart of the music scene I had somehow managed to avoid seeing before now - and by "now," I mean July 10, 2007, what some people like to refer to as "then". He was billed as performing with The Remesha Drums, who it emerges are a Burundi percussion ensemble who put on a very lively show. I missed their opening, where they walk in with their drums balanced on their heads, but caught plenty of action.

These guys are big on showing off their moves.



Twirling action!



You want good elevation if you're a drummer.



They got rhythm.



... and are definitely big on jumping.



They took turns on the central drum.



Okay, sometimes you don't want elevation.



Big finish!



They'll be playing at the Crown Plaza Hotel for Echo d'un peuple on Nov. 7. As the Remesha Drums thundered to a finish, The Mighty Popo was setting up on stage, and things segued more or less neatly into his own set of afropop.

Neema Lukumbuzya sings while The Mighty Popo rocks the calabash and Clarence Smith plays bass.



I believe that's El Hadji M'Baye playing the drums back there ... I don't know the name of his other singer.



Petr Cancura on saxophone, just behind him is Vince Halfhide.



And so on!









Just don't ask me what he's up to next ....

• Show reminder: Comeback Kid, Misery Signals, Bane, Shai Hulud, Outbreak and Gravemaker play early at Babylon; Jay Reatard, The Sedatives and Chocolat play later. Sylvie and Said The Whale perform at Zaphod Beeblebrox; Young Widows, Metz, I Refuse and We, The Union rock Mavericks. Hot Panda, The Awkward Stage and Immaculate Machine's Brooke Gallupe perform at Irene's. The Coggs and The Speaking Tongues perform at The Rainbow. Grace Over Diamonds orchestrally rocks Barrymore's.