Kin’Gongolo Kiniata can be translated as “the crushing sound”, and the band from Kinshasa in Congo creates a soundscape that is overwhelming in every way, embracing the chaos of street life and the noise of the big city.
However, the band's sound is not just a musical reflection of street life. The five musicians literally draw the chaos of the city into their danceable, punk-inspired songs by playing homemade string instruments and percussion made from urban waste – plastic bottles, old scrap metal and discarded kitchen utensils.
The creative upcycling of waste and junk reflects the band's indomitable will to find hope and new paths in an often harsh reality, and the band's songs pay tribute to Congo's working class with a rebellious spirit, just as they seek to create hope for the youth of Kinshasa.
The rest of the world can safely dance along to the band's wild fusion of hypnotic drum grooves, sparkling string playing and ecstatic vocals. The band has already thrilled audiences with their sound at several major festivals, and in 2025 they finally released their excellent debut album, Kiniata. With that, the stage is set for an unusual and captivating concert at Roskilde Festival this summer.
