THE frontman of West African band Tinariwen collapsed on stage in mid-performance at the City Hall last night.
Two doctors who were in the audience sprang to the aid of singer/guitarist Ibrahim Ag Alhabib after he dropped to the floor midway through a song.
He had gone offstage for the previous two or three songs while other band members took the spotlight.
Shortly after coming back on he collapsed without warning and the performance was stopped.
As the audience were asked to leave the hall, one woman who had been standing near the stage also sank to the floor, apparently overcome by shock.
Salisbury International Arts Festival director Jo Metcalf, who had introduced the band, said Ag Alhabib, who is in his 60s, was conscious and talking. An ambulance was called but he declined to go to hospital.
It is thought the singer, who has been touring with the group for several months, was suffering from exhaustion.
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