Meltdown 2026: Mulatu Astatke

In the spirit of exploration and discovery at the heart of Meltdown Festival, I put myself forward to review Mulatu Astatke having never listened to him before. I knew who he was, the legend of Ethio-jazz who I really should get around to listening to one day, so where better to do that than the Royal Festival Hall?

The seven-piece backing band kick things off with multiple brass flourishes, before quickly taking a back seat to allow the 82-year-old space to do his thing. As they lock in to their subtle groove, Astatke is far looser in picking his way around the vibraphone. The sound puts me in mind of John Williams’ soundtrack for Catch Me If You Can. It seems questioning and uncertain, as if he’s still exploring the instrument for his own curiosity, with that same sense of adventure and enigma as the film.

Introducing his second “very famous” song, I do indeed recognise the core melodies, and the band sounds so alive when in full flow. Astatke will always take his time in getting to these famous refrains, a couple of times waving his arms at the percussionists when they begin to ramp back up from his more ambling solos. He will not be harried.

An Ethiopian wedding song sees Astatke take more of a back seat on percussion while the truly excellent band get fully into the swing. Set highlight ‘Yegelle Tezeta’ gives each of the band a chance to shine with rapturously received solos. It’s likely my own ignorance, but I’ve never heard a double bass played this way before. Gutturally growling like a sludge metal band.

The closer is fitting. ‘Mulatu’, “a composition for myself”. As his superb band pay tribute to his legendary compositions, he will always find time for himself to explore anew.