Playing for over 25 years, Etran de l\u2019A\u00efr (or \u201cstars of the A\u00efr Region\u201d) have emerged as key figures of the local wedding circuit. The group is a family band composed of brothers and cousins, sons of nomadic families that settled in A\u00efr in the 1970s fleeing drought. Beloved for their dynamic repertoire of hypnotic solos and sun kissed melodies, they are now preparing the release of their first studio album via Sahel Sounds<\/a>, a tribute to their desert metropolis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From the days of the Trans-Saharan caravan in the 14th century to a modern-day stopover for Europe-bound migrants, Agadez is a city that stands at a crossroads where artists come to cut their teeth in a competitive, winner-take-all scene. Guitar bands are an integral part of the social fabric, playing in weddings, baptisms, and political rallies. Whereas other Tuareg guitarists look to Western rock, Etran de L\u2019A\u00efr play in a pan-African style, citing a myriad of cultural influences, from Northern Malian blues, Hausa bar bands, to Congolese Soukous. \u201cWe play for the Tuareg, the Toubou, the Zarma, the Hausa<\/em>,\u201d Moussa \u201cAbindi\u201d Ibra, the current band leader, explains. <\/p>\n\n\n\n