Madagascar

About

Malagasy World Rock. Tsapiky trance meets Afro-psychedelic rock.

Rooted in the high-voltage tsapiky rhythms of Madagascar and fueled by afro-psychedelic rock, Claudio Rabe delivers a raw, trance-inducing live experience that bridges the flamboyant sensuality of Prince with the dark edge of The Stooges and the groove of Fela Kuti.

A former professional dancer, Claudio pivoted to music after realizing physical movement alone couldn't capture the full scale of his artistic vision. Channeling those deep performance instincts into sound, he built a high-energy live project alongside his long-term band, transforming their concerts into an immersive, total experience. Complete with bold stage styling like leather, cowboy boots, and psychedelic shirts, their shows are engineered to pull audiences into a collective, liberating trance.

This explosive live energy quickly drove international momentum. Following breakout showcases at the Inouïs du Printemps de Bourges, Sakifo, IOMMA, South Africa's ACCES market, and Australia’s Woodford Folk Festival, Claudio solidified his global standing as a finalist for the prestigious Prix Découvertes RFI.

Now signed to Yama-Nui Records for their upcoming album, Claudio Rabe and his band are represented by Wax Booking in Canada / Europe and Sound Delivery Org across the US and Australasia. With extensive international touring behind them, an official selection at WOMEX, and an upcoming appearance at WOMAD NZ and WOMADelaide 2027, the project stands as one of the most compelling global live acts on the circuit today.

Bio updated 9 September 2026

Festival highlights

  • Inouïs du Printemps de Bourges
  • Sakifo
  • IOMMA
  • ACCES, South Africa
  • Woodford Folk Festival
  • WOMEX official selection
  • BIGSOUND
  • Festival of the Winds, Bondi
  • Finalist, Prix Découvertes RFI

Upcoming

  • WOMADelaide 2027
  • WOMAD Aotearoa 2027
Claudio Rabe holding a wooden instrument under a single warm light
Photo: Boris Tsiresy

Photographs

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The band

  • Claudio RabeLead vocals
  • Tonny RandriamanantenaDrums
  • Njiva AndrianantenainaPercussion / vocals
  • Jean-Yves RanaivosonSample pad / vocals
  • Tsiry RahaonarisonGuitar / synth / vocals
  • Arthur NambinimanantsoaBass / vocals

Ravorona — the raven

The word ravorona means raven in Malagasy. The same bird appears across languages: English, Raven; German, Rabe.

In this project, the raven represents observation, movement, and connection — a figure that travels between places, cultures, and moments in time, carrying stories and perspective with it.

  1. Taloha(the past) focused on memory, roots, and cultural inheritance
  2. Fakadeepening ideas of connection, identity, and belonging
  3. Mosary(famine) a more political chapter, addressing scarcity, power, and social realities
Claudio Rabe in a leather jacket, arms spread wide at the microphone
Claudio Rabe leaping on stage through smoke, one arm raised

Press & media