Orchestra Gold: An Hour of Music

On our opening day we are thrilled to bring Oakland, CA-based ensemble Orchestra Gold to headline an hour of healing and community through the universal gift of music. 

Orchestra Gold offers a kaleidoscope of sound deeply rooted in the Malian tradition while introducing a genre-bending nod to the future through their rare and artful fusion: African Psychedelic Rock. This original sound with a retro feel results from a decade-long collaboration between Mariam Diakite of Mali and Erich Huffaker of Oakland. The music of Orchestra Gold represents this powerful intersection, transcending borders and boundaries to be a force of healing within the community.

OG’s vibrant sound is spearheaded by the dynamic Mariam Diakite, whose raw, hypnotic vocals deliver heartfelt and thought-provoking lyrics in the highly symbolic Bambara language. While paying homage to Malian musical traditions, this fierce new sound thrives with heavy swinging rhythms, a funky fresh brass section, and cosmic guitar licks. With last year's release of their third album, Medicine, this profoundly spiritual and dance-inducing ensemble continues their pursuit of spreading healing and community through the universal gift of music. 

2024 was a break-through year for OG. OG’s festival roster included Newport Folk Festival, Pickathon, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, Mill Valley Music Fest, Mucho Gusto Fest and more. On top of touring widely throughout the US, OG also toured Europe for the first time, spending two weeks hitting festivals in Switzerland and Sweden.

Orchestra Gold’s latest studio album Medicine is out now on vinyl, CD and all digital/streaming platforms. Orchestra’s forthcoming album, Dakan, is slated for release later in 2024.

“...pure fire... I want to see this band so bad” -- BOB BOILEN, HOST of ALL SONGS CONSIDERED / NPR TINY DESK

“holy moly – this is great! I love everything about it – the songs, production, Mariam’s voice. Really great. I really like this sound you have cooking up – the hypnotic grooves of the rhythm section, the cool snaky guitar lines and near feedback, and the layers of vox” — JIM MCGUINN, ASSISTANT PROGRAM DIRECTOR of WXPN

“They are grounded in tradition and moving the conversation of African diasporic music forward. The  album implores the listener to join in and get lost in the magic.”  - CHICO MANN, ANTIBALAS / HERE LIES MAN 

“Mali’s musical heritage is vast…and Mariam’s voice channels that history.” - BANNING EYRE, SENIOR  EDITOR AFROPOP WORLDWIDE