THU / AUG 30, 2018
Sunset Concerts: Gili YaloSkirball Cultural Center
DJ set
Photo by Michael Topyol
LA debut! Singing in both English and Amharic, Ethiopia’s official language, Gili Yalo creates a rich patchwork of contemporary soul, funk, psychedelic rock, and traditional Ethiopian music for the closing concert of this year’s Sunset Concerts. Drawing inspiration from his experience as an Ethiopian Jew who fled war and famine in Sudan in 1984 to eventually re-settle in Israel, Yalo’s work represents his own personal triumph while giving a new meaning to traditional Ethiopian music.
Yalo has performed on revered international stages as both a soloist and as a member of the Israeli world-reggae band Zvuloon Dub System. In 2017, he released his self-titled first album, which PopMatters describes as “one of those rare debuts with a clear sense of purpose and style.” Yalo’s vibrant music represents his own personal triumph while giving new meaning to traditional Ethiopian music. Gili’s performance at the Skirball is part of his first US tour as a solo artist.
Arrive early to listen to a DJ set by dublab’s Rani de Leon!
More info: www.skirball.org/programs/sunset-concerts/gili-yalo