Etran de L'Aïr

{{Short description|Nigerien rock band}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| image = Etran de l’Aïr 2025.jpg

| caption = Etran de L'Aïr performing at Poble Espanyol in 2025

| name = Etran de L'Aïr

| origin = Agadez, Niger

| years_active = 1995–present

| label = Sahel Sounds

}}

Etran de L'Aïr ("stars of the Aïr region") is a Nigerien rock band consisting of brothers and cousins, all born and raised in the small neighborhood of Abalane in Agadez, Niger.{{cite web |last1=Berlatsky |first1=Noah |title=Etran de L'Aïr bring the world the happy desert blues |date=27 June 2024 |url=https://chicagoreader.com/music/concert-preview/etran-de-lair-empty-bottle/ |website=Chicago Reader |access-date=4 July 2024}} They were formed in 1995 and started off playing for local weddings before achieving international success.

The band is currently signed to Sahel Sounds and tours internationally. They have released three albums, No. 1{{cite web |last1=Petrusich |first1=Amanda |title=The Best Music of 2020 |url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/2020-in-review/the-best-music-of-2020 |date=27 November 2020 |website=The New Yorker |access-date=4 July 2024}} in 2018, Agadez in 2022, and 100% Sahara Guitar in 2024.{{cite web |last1=Thompson |first1=Sly |title=Etran de L'Aïr, "Agadez" |date=17 February 2022 |url=https://daily.bandcamp.com/album-of-the-day/etran-de-lair-agadez-review |publisher=Bandcamp |access-date=4 July 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Helfand |first1=Raphael |title=Etran de L'Aïr announce new album, share European fall tour dates |url=https://www.thefader.com/2021/11/04/etran-de-lair-announce-new-album--and-euro-tour-dates |website=The Fader |access-date=4 July 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Greene |first1=Alex |title=From Deep in the Sahara, Here Comes Etran de L'Aïr |url=https://www.memphisflyer.com/from-deep-in-the-sahara-here-comes-etran-de-lair |website=The Memphis Flyer |access-date=4 July 2024}} The groups' first album, No. 1, was named the number one album of the year by Amanda Petrusich of The New Yorker. All albums by the band have received positive reviews.{{cite web |last1=Segal |first1=Dave |title=Etran De L'Aïr's Anthemic Desert Psych and Mason Lowe's Glam-Rock Swagger |url=https://www.thestranger.com/music/2023/06/30/79056436/etran-de-lairs-anthemic-desert-psych-and-mason-lowes-glam-rock-swagger |website=The Stranger |access-date=4 July 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Simon |title=Etran de L'Aïr – Agadez Review |date=11 March 2022 |url=https://higherplainmusic.com/2022/03/11/etran-de-lair-agadez-review/ |website=Higher Plain Music |access-date=4 July 2024}}{{cite web |title=Premiere: Tuareg guitar group Etran De L'Aïr present Agadez |url=https://www.thewire.co.uk/audio/tracks/premiere-tuareg-guitar-group-etran-del-air-present-agadez |website=The Wire |access-date=4 July 2024}}

The group generally has three guitarists, who swap instruments frequently through their concerts, all three being equally apt at bass and treble guitar. The amplified guitar-heavy style forms part of Tuareg Desert blues first popularized by Tinariwen in the 1970s and 1980s, combining elements of traditional Tuareg songs and Western blues and rock musical styles. They sing in Tamasheq.