Standing still is not an option when watching a performance by FRA!. The band from Accra in Ghana previously won over Spain and Portugal, and are now coming to Rotterdam. The six young musicians – Christian Osele (vocals), Joshua “Virgen” Boateng (drums, vocals), George Gogoe Ashirifie (bass), Emmanuel Selorm Dornyoh (guitar), Ishmael “Ayala” Kugblenu (percussion) and Martin Nyarkotey Adjartey (keyboards) – all come from very different backgrounds. What connects these guys however are the African musical traditions, especially Ghanaian highlife. The genre is already a mix of Western melodies and African rhythms, but they also like to throw in large doses of Afrobeat, soul and funk, which explains the band name: ‘Fra’ means ‘mix’ in Akan. It goes without saying that it’s one helluva party whenever this band are in town, who also aren’t afraid to incorporate social messages into their music. The song I'm Gone for example, is a protest against violence within relationships. FRA! are set to release their new album sometime this year.
