Ben Harper
Mountain Men

In the early 90s, Ben Harper started his career as a singer-songwriter, drawing his inspiration in blues, gospel and folk. With his simple acoustic guitar, his captivating voice and his poetic and autobiographical writing, he gave the impression of being able to reinvent the world during a song. In this manner, his impact was significant, composing a few unforgettable pieces that are still played by many beginner guitarists. Since then, he has not lost his sensitivity and this gift for finding the words and the notes captivating the crowd. A few years after releasing his first album, Ben Harper really made himself known at the head of The Innocent Criminals. With 17 albums committed in the great political, social and ecological causes of his time, this nonconformist artist distinguished himself in an immense number of musical ensembles: he is a respected figure in the blues guitar universe thanks to his slide technique which is admired by his peers. Almost thirty years later, after a short break in his journey in the 2010s, Ben Harper remains closely related to the group he played with during his early career. Indeed, it better showcases all his musical influences, from rock to reggae, including folk. This concert will be a real event blending the echoes of all their musical lives.

Some encounters are only possible thanks to music: on one hand, we have Barefoot Iano, the harmonicist with bare feet who is Australian by birth and French by adoption. On the other hand, we have Mister Mat: a French singer and guitarist with a powerful and characterful voice, full of blues, rock and soul. Nothing seemed to indicate they would meet, but their collaboration was quickly so certain that they became inseparable. From their first album in 2009, Mountain Men found the common ground which will bring them together and create a unique bond with the public: an unparalleled variety of songs (blues, delta, French chanson, country, grunge) with all the corresponding emotions, ranging from cooling down to explosive rage. Moreover, those two irresistible personalities, the daydreaming and cheeky harmonicist and the enthusiast narrator, federate a public who appreciates their natural performance. Their highly strung shows with a human touch and an emotion sometimes raw, sometimes subtle, stood out at a time when artifices prevailed over authenticity. They collaborated very closely for a long time, released four records, and also played hundreds of concerts, some memorable ones at Jazz à Vienne. Then, they decided to work separately for a while before they announced very recently their comeback. The Théâtre Antique is the perfect place to meet their public from Isère again.