FROM the Congo to Cilgwyn, Notting Hill Festival to North Pembrokeshire, the king of soukous music Kanda Bongo Man certainly knows how to put on a show.

But a show in the middle of a farmyard at a rural West Wales micro-brewery? Surely not for an African music star more used to rocking football stadia all over the world in front of thousands.

Yet try telling that to the 400 lucky souls who packed into Bluestone Brewery in the Preseli Hills on Sunday night (August 27) to dance the night way.

For brewery owner Simon Turner, it really was a dream come true to have his musical hero playing live. Simon first heard Kando Bono Man on John Peel’s radio show, and has been an avid fan ever since.

“I cannot believe they are here and playing. It really is fantastic and while it’s really busy, nothing is going to stop me from enjoying it along with everyone else,” said Simon, whose mobile phone ringtone even features soukous music.

They say you should never meet your heroes for fear of being disappointed but try telling that to Simon. His smile throughout the night was as wide as the Gwaun Valley and it was matched by the rest of the packed crowd – young and old alike - as they danced the night away.

You could not help but be caught up in the infectious rhythm and feel-good factor of Kanda Bongo Man and his band Kasai Masai as a slice of African music was transported into the Welsh hills.

Kasai Masai played at the brewery last year so were no strangers here but to get the man himself this time around was a real coup, and how he delivered.

Simon Turner may be Kando Bongo man’s biggest fan, but he might just have found another 400 happy souls who agree with him judging by the smiles on their faces as they left.