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Posts tagged “Birmingham”

Shaanti 11: Eastern Electronic Festival 2011

Folks! Some awesome news for you … I am please to inform you that the first ever festival of progressive asian music in Birmingham will taking place.

On 28 February – 5 March 2011, Shaanti 11 a non-profit organisation launches the Eastern Electronic Festival, a major new arts festival. The six day festival is packed full of film and music offerings including an explosive citywide music programme, art exhibitions, panel debates and world premieres of visual-artworks at various venues across Birmingham.

The Eastern Electronic Festival uniquely programs ambitious and high quality line-ups featuring plenty of electronic visual experimentation with quality music performances by British Asian artists, both locally and overseas, and from traditional to contemporary exploration.

Travels of a Asian Rock-Star- Exclusive Artwork by SKA for the Festival

The festival commemorates and introduces some of the artists of the future in the West Midlands and international arenas with its own unique bill, which will also include some surprising acts and exceptional performances of the highest quality. Throughout the festival UK artists also come together to begin the process of creating new collaborative work across special designed events.

There is an ALMIGHTY line up for this event names include:

EASTERN ELECTRONIC FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Drum ‘n’ Bass producer from East London Sukh Knight,
  • Rapper V-Don,
  • Ranvir Verma from Universal Taal Project,
  • Bhupinder (Violinist),
  • Kamaljeet Ajimal (Santoor- Indian stringed musical instrument),
  • Greg Rowlson (Drums),
  • Sanchita Farruque,
  • Swati Naketar,
  • Midlands-based producer Juttla,
  • Nona Kaira (Singer),
  • Righ Rolla (Drums),
  • Sticky Fingers (Tabla),
  • International contemporary dancer Nanoo,
  • Former Asian Dub Foundation member Pandit G presents A.G.N.I – Angry Generations Needs Inspiration,
  • Midland’s guitar based band Khaliq,
  • Folk/Electronica & Drum and Bass band Neeta,
  • Shammi Pithia & Flux whose hybrid of sounds includes Western and Indian Classical/Folk, Jazz, popular and urban music.
  • Ministry of Dhol,
  • Panjabi By Nature,
  • XZECUTIVE,
  • Fluid
  • Nameless
  • Saxophone player Trav ‘saXingh’ Panesar
  • Featuring work by film director Mandeep Singh Juttla,
  • Live-music photographer Gobinder Jhitta,
  • VJ-Visual artists Coco Edwards,
  • Contemporary conceptual artist Kulwinder Bajar.
  • Multi-instrumentalist Renu Hossain,
  • Bhangra Singer Regi,
  • Jazz artists Nishad and vocalist and songwriter Sonia Panesar,
  • Hindi vocalist Rita Morar,
  • Sitar player Kiranjit Dharni
  • DJ Chann
  • FREE ARTWORK GIVEWAY: TRAVELS OF AN ASIAN ROCKSTAR

Closer to the time I will be updating you with the events in date order with details of venues times and all that jazz. For the time being check out the facebook group with will give you the information you need.

For more information on the Eastern Electronic Festival, event prices, line-up and announcements, visit www.easternelectronicfestival.co.uk

Prices:

28 Feb – 3 March FREE. Avoid Queues by Pre-booking your place by email info@easternelectronicfestival.co.uk or txt 07968 260276.

Friday 4 February (The Factory, Space 2), £10.00 Advance Tickets, More at the door.

Saturday 5 February (The Hockley), £10, 00, More at the Door.

Weekend Golden Ticket £18.00, Entry for Friday 4 March – Space 2, The Factory & Saturday 5 March – The Hockley.

ONLINE TICKETS: www.theticketsellers.co.uk 0844 870 0000 and www.chillitickets.com 0871 855 30 69 and at various venues across the West Midlands.

FURTHER INFO: (e) info@easternelectronicfestival.co.uk (t) 07968260276/ 07968 366878 (w) www.easternelectronicfestival.co.uk

13/01/2011 | Categories: shaanti | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment

Sudakshini:Anoushka Shankar – Birmingham ’10

Monday 17 May 2010

Short review:

A beautiful journey southwards – Sudakshini is the title of Anoushka Shankar’s latest venture. An entirely acoustic project consisting of the majestic traditional ragas to newly composed ones including those created by her guru and father, Ravi Shankar.

The evening was a testament to exploring the affiliation between traditional northern and southern styles of Indian classical music. Accompanying Anoushka, were Ravichandra Kulur on Bansuri (Flute) and Kanjira, Pirashanna Thevarajah on the Mridangam, Kanjira and Ghatam, Nick Able on the Tanpura and the absolutely phenomenal maestro Tanmoy Bose on the tabla, making it an unforgettable experience.

Birmingham Town hall is not a big venue at all, with a maximum capacity of just over a thousand people; it was a good choice for the type gig. The stage was bathed in shades of purple and pink lighting, the atmosphere – tense, waiting to be graced by the presence of the supremely talented daughter of legendary sitar maestro Ravi Shankar.

I had seen Anoushka perform twice before but with Nitin Sawhney at the BBC Proms in 2007 and then again at the BBC Electric Proms in 2008. However this performance was very different, it was more elegant and beautiful. The show was split in two; the first half consisted of a classical performance of ragas kicked off with Madhukauns, played so elegantly it was like evoking beauty and romance subtly accompanied by Tanmoy Bose to complete the composition.

This below clip piece was also performed but the Violin was replaced with a Bansuri (Flute) Stunning!!!

Anoushka was tranquil, precise and graceful with her music. Like most Indian classical musicians I’ve seen perform, she too had that divine relationship with her Sitar – as she performed she swayed and catching her emotive and expressive facial expressions while she was playing. Like breathing life into each raga as she unfolds and expands it – simply enjoyable to watch.

The second half was more experimental, you’d thinking, hmm, electronic sounds or whipping out a Macbook Pro but nope, it was more about using other instruments in such to create such an incredible array of sounds to tickle the ears. The final set was so intense! Amalgamating the Sitar, Flute, Mridangam, Tanpura and Tabla and creating an interspersed yet coordinated dialogue between all the instruments given each musician an opportunity to display their amazing talents! WOW! … Truly an ear bending piece to finish off with …

Father and Daughter …

19/05/2010 | Categories: anoushka shankar | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

drop beats not bombs festival 2010

Drop Beats Not Bombs events have happened in Birmingham for 6 long and glorious years. In that time, it`s fair to say, Drop Beats Not Bombs literally changed and defined the clubbing landscape of Birmingham. The Custard Factory Complex was explored and expanded by their events. The next glorious chapter in Drop Beats not Bombs will take place near BRIGHTON, the scenery and views will be magnificent!

THE GENERATION BASS STAGE WILL RUN FROM 12 MIDDAY ON SUNDAY 1ST AUGUST THRU TO MONDAY 2ND AUGUST 2.00AM.

ALL PROFIT FROM TICKET SALES WILL BE DONATED TO WAR CHILD :
http://www.warchild.org.uk

BUY TICKETS HERE

HOSTED BY GEN BASS – SONIDO DEL PRINCIPE & DJ UMB

CONFIRMED SO FAR:

ENGINE EARZ, CELT ISLAM, BARBARIX, INNAMORATI, SECRET ARCHIVES OF THE VATICAN, DJ DISORIENTALIST

MORE DJS’ AND BANDS TBC SOON…

16/05/2010 | Categories: gigs | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

shaanti @ cargo, saturday 12th june

People! Shaanti marks 11 Years in the Music Industry with the celebration of their residency at Cargo

The night will include some fantastic names like:

Time: 8.00pm til 4.00am
Address: Cargo, 83 Rivington Street, Shoreditch. London EC2A 3AY
Price: Doors Open at 8, Free before 11, £5 before 12.00 and £10 after all night.
Info: 07968 366878 // 07968 260276

09/05/2010 | Categories: shaanti | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Shaa’ir+Func, Birmingham – 02.Nov.09

Another superb gig –

About a year ago my music boundaries were pushed in a whole new direction when I came across Shaa’ir and Func. These guys some how manage to encompass bass-heavy rhythms and poetic lyrics with drum n bass, indie and rock seamlessly into their own unique and distinctive style.

The venue was the perfect setting for the gig, held at Sound Bar, Birmingham’s newest and finest alternative music bar. The night was kicked off by S+F’s supporting act, The Amateurs. After their set, it was time for the main event, the main reason why I had been following this band for a whole year!

From the onset, they delivered a burst of pure energy and creativity, like art coming alive. Shaa’ir (Monica Dogra) has this awesome stage presence that is created with a voice that‘s powerful yet elegant and poetic. She did a fantastic job engaging the crowd with her striking looks and ever-present charm. Func’s (Randolph Correia) brilliantly layered electronica loops and demonstrating his talent on a beautiful candy coloured (redish and blue) Gibson guitar.

Though an intimate crowd, they played as though there were thousands of people, generating an electric atmosphere, almost too intense for the walls of Sound bar. Monica and Randolph gave it their all in style, together with their bass player Anand Subaya and drummer. Performing tracks from their two albums New Day and Light Tribe, fans were fortunate to get a sneak peak of their forthcoming album. S+F finished off with “Embrace” and blimey what a performance!!

When I walked through the doors of Sound bar I wasn’t sure what to expect. Everyone sounds great on cd but an artist’s true talent is showcased when they perform live. I’ve got to admit S+F delivered gracefully with such passion, it’s obvious that they live and breathe music. As a fan, I can’t ask for more than that.

To understand what S+F are about and to fully appreciate them, you need to witness in person their full potential. These guys are best when they play live.

Hats off to the IMC (International Music Consultancy) for bringing the gig to Birmingham.

Laved it 🙂

09/01/2010 | Categories: shaa'ir + func | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment