King Sunny Ade and his African Beats: Hammersmith Palais, London

THERE'S ONLY one thing wrong with King Sunny Ade And His African Beats: they make nearly everything else sound drab and mean-spirited. But that malaise is soon dispelled; when you're in the grip of this mighty music, your heart simply has no room for pettiness. The 19 Beats played nearly three hours of the most vital and uplifting music I've ever heard, and a packed Palais almost burst with joy, our refreshed hearts beating as one.