Vodou Fusion live summer 2025
Clips from live performances
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- country:Finland
- region:Northern Europe
- style(s):Global Fusion, World Fusion
- label:not signed
- type:Band, Large Ensemble
- instrumentation:vocal, percussion, woodwind, salsa and latin band, dance orchestra, guitar
- artist contact:Funky Amigos
Line up
- Alex Kivikoski (Finland) (Flute, keyboards)
- Gildas Houessou (Benin) (Lead vocals)
- Jacob Kabre (Burkina Faso) (Keyboards)
- Keita Iba (Senegal) (Drums)
- Macoumba Ndiaye (Senegal) (Percussions)
- Noora Nurmi (Finland) (Vocals)
- Papa Diakhate (Senegal) (Bass)
- Riche Bamba (Ivory Coast) (Vocals)
- Samuel Leminen (Finland) (Lead guitar)
- Susanna Salama (Finland) (Alto saxophone)
- Yoandy Jimeno (Cuba / Finland) (Vocals)
Beninese-born Gildas Houessou’s band Vodou Fusion must be one of the most diverse outfits currently coming from Finland, both culturally as well as musically. Hailing from the small town of Salo on the west coast and with musicians originating from Finland, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, and Cuba, they combine several rhythm music genres all the way from afrobeat and Afro-pop to funk, reggae and even Latin music in a balanced and intriguing way.
However, most of all this band will make the audience dance and get wild like no other! As they are still about to drop their debut album in 2026, their captivating high-energy live shows have been enjoyed already at Finnish music festivals such as Funky Elephant, Mitäs Mitäs Mitäs, Pori Jazz side programme and others. And because of all the positive feedback from the audience, they are now reaching out already abroad as well.
Main vocalist Gildas Houessou sings partly in French, partly in English, and partly in Mina, one of the local languages spoken in Benin. This adds up perfectly to the diverse sound played by his 10-piece orchestra, which are fluently moving from a genre to another with experience built from several lineups during the years. As said, they do not have any recorded material out yet, but check out the live videos and you will be convinced how well they can rock any crowd anytime!
Vodou Fusion is one of the two specially selected Funky Finland artists for Womex2025, represented by Funky Amigos.
