In 2003, Robert Plant travelled to Mali to perform at the famed Festival in the Desert alongside Ali Farka Toure, Tinariwen and many others. He wanted to document this unique journey by personally filming his life-changing experiences in that beautiful West African country. Also on the trip were band members Justin Adams and Skin Tyson, as well as his son Logan, who acted as cameraman at times. Plant finally edited the footage into an evocative, personal documentary film entitled Zirka, which has been segmented into eight episodes that will be unveiled every Monday, on Plant’s official youtube channel, beginning November 18. Rolling Stone premiered the first episode HERE.
Plant now calls the trip “A journey of revelation…one of the most illuminating and humbling experiences of my life.” He continues, “[It was] a journey that took us from the scurry and bustle of our world into the homeland of the Tuareg, the Sahel of Mali, Timbuctu and north to Essakane; A journey that could only reinforce the power and the great gift of music across and between cultures. Sharing outside of language. A world where, for awhile at least, borders, boundaries and barriers once again fell away…as it was long ago.”
Plant just completed a yearlong world tour with his Sensational Space Shifters, which received raves at every stop. He’s currently in the studio recording his follow up to 2010’s Band of Joy. No release date has been confirmed.
