The desert may be well known for sand, but now, thanks to Tinariwen, it is also famous for rock.

Possibly the hottest world music band in the world right now, its members are nomadic Tuareg people from the Sahara region of northern Mali.

Dressed in traditional cool blue robes and peering out from thick headscarves, their simple line up of three electric guitars, one bass and hand drum produces a raw yet intense music which evokes both the harshness and beauty of their home.

With his explosion of afro-curls and angular face, charismatic front man Ibrahim Ag Alhabib led his band through two magnificent sets of wandering desert blues.

Although singing mainly in their native Tamashek language with some French, it was impossible not to be entranced by the chanting vocals of all eight members.

With some lyrics recounting the history and struggle of the Tuareg, touching on exile, guerrilla training in Gaddafi's camps and rebellion, the live experience can be intensely haunting.

But playing songs from their latest album, Amar Iman (Water Is Life), there were also plenty of rocking bass lines, hypnotic riffs and a succession of robed men shimmying centre stage to strut their nomadic stuff.