Posts tagged festival

WOMAD 2012 – Line up announced: Buena Vista Social Club, Robert Plant and Boubacar Traore

womad 640x480 WOMAD 2012   Line up announced: Buena Vista Social Club, Robert Plant and Boubacar TraoreArtists confirmed so far… Alaev Family (Tajikstan/Israel); Ane Brun (Norway);  (); Social Club ();  and the Small Gods (UK); Grupo Fantasma (USA); Lo’Jo(France/Algeria); Joe Driscoll & Seckou Kouyate (USA/Guinea); Narasirato (Solomon Islands); Peatbog Faeries (UK);  (); Sensational Space Shifters (UK/USA/Gambia); Spiro (UK); Terem Quartet (Russia); Tokyo  (Japan). Continue reading WOMAD 2012 – Line up announced: Buena Vista Social Club, Robert Plant and Boubacar Traore

Busara Festival to leave its Zanzibar home?

SzB 2012 Postcard  640x449 Busara Festival to leave its Zanzibar home?

In the hot glove of a sticky East African night, the last act of the annual Sauti za Busara takes place. ‘Local’ outfit FM Academia – with over twenty members in the band – are rocking the open-air venue (an old walled fort in the centre of Town) with their unique ‘muziki da dansa’ style, when, suddenly, on stage come literally dozens of the festival’s crew. The now over-crowded hugely enthusiastic stage dances out the last number of the 2012 event. Mark Stewart reports… Continue reading Busara Festival to leave its Zanzibar home?

Wara – Wara EP

Wara movimientos Wara   Wara EP

Here’s some hot underground from Town that’s been hiding in my bag and it’s just what you need to raise  spirits in the bleak mid-winter.

Continue reading Wara – Wara EP

George Benson – Guitar Man

GeorgeBensonGuitarMan 300x300 George Benson   Guitar Man

Perhaps the surprise of the year this one as George Benson release an album that isn’t a ‘Best Of’ his own hits as he covers some pop and classics and it’s worth more than a casual listen!

Continue reading George Benson – Guitar Man

Ana Moura at the Barbican – 31 October 2011

Catch ’s newest shining light live at the on 31st October +  at Queens on 29th October Continue reading Ana Moura at the Barbican – 31 October 2011

London Jazz Festival 2011 at Ronnie Scott’s

In keeping with its own traditions and reflecting the ethos of the , Ronnie Scott’s presents a ten day diary of special collaborations, emerging talent and established stars from across the generations and continents, as well as the ubiquitous after-hours hang. Continue reading London Jazz Festival 2011 at Ronnie Scott’s

Kings Place Festival – Sept 8-11 [Ayanna Witter-Johnson/Robert Mitchell]

KPFestival2011 Kings Place Festival   Sept 8 11 [Ayanna Witter Johnson/Robert Mitchell]

OK so it’s not just and over the 4 days (there’s actually 100 performances by many different acts) but they were the highlight of the opening day at this high spec venue near Kings Cross.

Continue reading Kings Place Festival – Sept 8-11 [Ayanna Witter-Johnson/Robert Mitchell]

WOMEX 11

EricVNieuwland bomba estereo 235431 copy WOMEX 11

Bomba Estereo by Eric Van Nieuwland

11 is taking place from Wednesday, 26 to Sunday, 30 October in Copenhagen,
Denmark. If you are involved in the music business, there’s a raft of stuff during the day but for all music fans, you can turn up in the evening for a range of exciting concerts each night. Continue reading WOMEX 11

02 London Mela – Sunday 4 September 2011

asian mela london 640x225 02 London Mela   Sunday 4 September 2011
The 02 Mela – ’s largest outdoor – returns to , Ealing, on Sunday 4 September. Last year’s Mela attracted a record-breaking 92,000 people, and this year the festival is set to be even bigger and better than ever, with nine zones including The Main Stage, Mix Tent, Introducing, The Classical stage, Community & Kids zone, Outdoor arts and ‘In conversation with’, not to mention the food markets and funfair.

Continue reading 02 London Mela – Sunday 4 September 2011

WOMAD 2011


Round up: despite a wobbly moment with the weather on Friday morning, the was flawless in every other way. Some great bands, clearly enjoying playing to audiences free to dance and enjoy the non-auditorium experience, strutted the various stages. My favourites were probably (I didn’t even know I liked his music that much before), of course and Faiz Ali Faiz among the bigger names. The dynamo Nomfusi was a refreshing blast of energy and the reflexive caught my attention among the newer names.

It was great to see the festival so well organised. Almost no litter at all thanks to enterprising children getting money back on empty plastic glasses, the beautiful arboretum to wander through, great indian food and some damn fine coffee made it a real pleasure to be there.
Continue reading WOMAD 2011

Hackney Colliery Band – Hackney Colliery Band

WAHCD015 Hackney Colliery Band   Hackney Colliery Band

There’s big competition in the trendy and hip section and I’m not talking Grimethorpe! Here’s the latest and the best, the debut album by the Hackney Colliery Band.

Continue reading Hackney Colliery Band – Hackney Colliery Band

Omar – Sing (if You Want To)

TRUCD233 Omar   Sing (if You Want To)

There’s nothing like it when it comes to UK legend and if you listened to the latest show you’ll know that Omar’s latest album is monster when droppin’ names like Estelle, Angie Stone and !

Continue reading Omar – Sing (if You Want To)

Ikebe Shakedown – Ikebe Shakedown

URCD2922 Ikebe Shakedown   Ikebe Shakedown

Ikebe Shakedown is the self-titled album is one to shakedown your boogie on the dancefloor for another impressive debut album on Records.

Continue reading Ikebe Shakedown – Ikebe Shakedown

Amkoullel – The Fula Child


‘The Malian prodigy honouring the African youth’ profiled by his international manager and one of his biggest fans Marie-Agnes Beau Continue reading Amkoullel – The Fula Child

Norman Jay MBE Presents – Good Times 30th Anniversary

STRUT080CD2 Norman Jay MBE Presents   Good Times 30th Anniversary
Good Times is 30! How much fun can you possibly have after 30 years? Well on the evidence of the latest by King of Choppers himself, Norman Jay MBE, the answer is lots – get you’re Good Times today. Continue reading Norman Jay MBE Presents – Good Times 30th Anniversary