Date: November 27, 2022

Venue: Lafayette

Address: 11 Goods Way, London, N1C 4DP

Time: 20:00

Ages: 16+

Organized by: MARSM UK + Adnan Joubran

Hailing from a family synonymous with the oud, renowned artist and composer Adnan Joubran presents a scintillating re-imagining of his work.

Ambient, cinematic and electronic, Joubran delves into a neo-classical soundscape with a performance to match. Shifting his compositions into dreamy orchestral sounds, he joins pioneering composers such as Nils Frahm and Olafur Arnolds in the genre, bringing to it the oud and legacy of Arabic music, something not yet done before.

The new show features Habib Meftah on percussion, voice, and electronic grooves, and Valentin Mussou on the cello synths and keyboards. This new, electronic project debuts at the Arabesque Festival in Montpellier later this year before heading to London’s Lafayette for this November date.

This new concert has been made possible by residency support from Arabesque Festival

This concert supports Beder UK, a charity providing opportunities and support to conquer mental health and suicide prevention.

Date: November 23, 2022

Venue: Huxley's Neue Welt

Address: Hasenheide 107, 10967, Berlin, Germany

Time: 19:00

Ages: 14+. Any minors to be accompanied by 18+.

Organized by: MARSM UK + El Wekala

Due to popular demand, Cairokee has added a second London show! Grab your tickets here.

The trailblazing Cairokee returns to Europe with their brand new album ‘Roma’.

One of the biggest bands to emerge from the Arabic-speaking world, Cairokee’s songs have become anthems of a generation. With infectious music and uplifting lyrics, the band became a driving force in the region and abroad. A word play between Karaoke and Cairo, their evolving sound has become an innate reflection of their surroundings and articulate the many elements of contemporary Egyptian society that drive their generation. Founded in 2003, the five-piece comprises Amir Eid (vocals), Tamer Hashem (drums), Sherif Hawary (guitar), Adam El-Alfy (bass) and Sherif Mostafa (keys).

Following the release of their anticipated 7th studio album ‘Roma’, they will be debuting this new material across Europe, as well as performing some of their classic songs

As part of their upcoming tour, don’t miss their London date.

Doors: 7:00pm

Performance start: 8:30pm

Tickets for Paris (19/11) and Berlin (23/11) available.

This event is brought to you by Marsm & El Wekala.

Date: November 21, 2022

Venue: EartH (Evolutionary Arts Hackney)

Address: 11-17 Stoke Newington Road, London, N16 8BH

Time: 19:00

Ages: 16+. Under 18's allowed with a responsible adult 21+.

Organized by: MARSM UK + El Wekala

Due to popular demand, Cairokee has added a second London show! Grab your tickets here.

The trailblazing Cairokee returns to Europe with their brand new album ‘Roma’.

One of the biggest bands to emerge from the Arabic-speaking world, Cairokee’s songs have become anthems of a generation. With infectious music and uplifting lyrics, the band became a driving force in the region and abroad. A word play between Karaoke and Cairo, their evolving sound has become an innate reflection of their surroundings and articulate the many elements of contemporary Egyptian society that drive their generation. Founded in 2003, the five-piece comprises Amir Eid (vocals), Tamer Hashem (drums), Sherif Hawary (guitar), Adam El-Alfy (bass) and Sherif Mostafa (keys).

Following the release of their anticipated 7th studio album ‘Roma’, they will be debuting this new material across Europe, as well as performing some of their classic songs

As part of their upcoming tour, don’t miss their London date.

Doors: 7:00pm

Performance start: 8:30pm

Tickets for Paris (19/11) and Berlin (23/11) available.

This event is brought to you by Marsm & El Wekala.

Date: November 20, 2022

Venue: EartH (Evolutionary Arts Hackney)

Address: 11-17 Stoke Newington Road, London, N16 8BH

Time: 19:00

Ages: 16+. Under 18's allowed with a responsible adult 21+.

Organized by: MARSM UK + El Wekala

This event has now sold out. Due to popular demand, a secondshow has been added and will be taking place on Monday 21st November. Grab your tickets here!

The trailblazing Cairokee returns to Europe with their brand new album ‘Roma’.

One of the biggest bands to emerge from the Arabic-speaking world, Cairokee’s songs have become anthems of a generation. With infectious music and uplifting lyrics, Cairokee has become a driving force in the region and abroad.

As part of their upcoming tour, don’t miss their second London date.

Doors: 7:00pm

Performance start: 8:30pm

Tickets for Paris (19/11) and Berlin (23/11) available.

This event is brought to you by Marsm & El Wekala.

Date: November 19, 2022

Venue: Rich Mix

Address: 35-47 Bethnal Green Road London E1 6LA

Time: 19:30

Ages: 16+

Organized by: MARSM UK + Bagri Foundation

Shoreditch – watch out! A stellar night of hip-hop, beats and grime is brought to you by the pioneering Palestinian rapper Tamer Nafar, the London/Iranian grime songstress Shay D and Moroccan/French rapper and singer-songwriter Rita L’Oujdia.

Hip-hop don’t stop.

TAMER NAFAR

Tamer Nafar is a musician, actor, screen-writer, and social activist well-known for his founding role in DAM, the first Palestinian rap crew who have since become a household name in the region. Alongside this, Tamer’s solo career has become a powerful offshoot of his music and message. Bringing a flawless energy to his performances, his hard hitting hip hop and tongue-in-cheek humour have landed him as one of the most innovative rappers from the region and dubbed ‘The Godfather of Palestinian rap’. More recently releasing a combination of both English and Arabic tracks Tamer’s topical tracks never fail to move the mind and the body.

SHAY D 

Hailing from the stomping grounds of North London, Shay D’s upbringing and Persian heritage remains at the core of her sound. Her latest album ’Speaking in Tongues’ has solidified her penchant for grime and follows the success of her second album ‘Human Writes’ which she released independently in 2019, making her way onto the iTunes Top 20 Hip Hop chart. She also curated the first ever all female hip hop tour in the UK, ‘Queens of Art’ in 2019 & 2020 visiting 10 cities nationwide. Championing women in music, she established her name within the underground UK Hip Hop and grime circuit, while working as radio presenter and DJ alongside her youth and community work and has featured on BBC 1xtra Live Lounge, Redbull TV & Channel 4 as well as working on projects with Nike and Yamaha.

RITA L’OUJDIABorn in Oujda (Morocco) and raised in France, Rita L’Oujdia is a self-taught singer, songwriter and producer. Speaking English, French, Moroccan, Spanish and Portuguese, she has released songs in these multiple languages, praising self-love, confidence, inspired by her own life experience but not only. After studying Baroque music since the age of 4, she recently graduated from the Conservatory in Lyon. Proud of her cultural heritage, L’Oujdia is incorporating more Arabic lyrics and influence in her songs, and aims to use the broad spectrum of musical influence she grew up with to create songs with a unique and personal sound.

Brought to you by the Bagri Foundation and Marsm UK, this concert is the third in a series of events that looks to explore the contemporary evolution of rap, hip hop, trap and electronica in South West Asia and North Africa. 

Date: November 19, 2022

Venue: Oyoun

Address: Lucy-Lameck-Straße 32 12049 Berlin Germany

Time: 19:00

Ages: This event is 14+ (minors to be accompanied by 18+).

Organized by: MARSM UK + OBBA Berlin

Adonis performs its anticipated upcoming album ‘Hadis El Layl’ in Berlin.

Famed Lebanese pop/rock band Adonis first came into sight with its debut single “Stouh Adonis” (2012), a dance tune relaying tales of night-time adventures on the rooftops of the group’s small suburban town. Renowned for its signature Arabic lyrics and blistering live performances, Adonis captured the hearts of an avid and devoted fan base and have since performed sold out shows at major venues and independent festivals across the Arabic-speaking world, such as Carthage International Festival (Tunisia), Baalbeck International Festival (Lebanon), Amman Roman Amphitheatre (Jordan) and Arab World Institute (France).

Launching its sixth studio album “Hadis El Layl” (Night Talks), Adonis will be performing two back-to-back concerts at Paris’ Cabaret Sauvage (November 17) and Berlin’s Oyoun (November 19), just a few days after the release of the much anticipated record. For the first time ever, the band will be performing songs from the new album as well as fan favorites from its impressive 10-year spanning catalogue.

Date: November 19, 2022

Venue: Cabaret Sauvage

Address: 59 Boulevard Macdonald 75019 Paris France

Time: 19:00

Ages: 12+. Any minors to be accompanied by 18+.

Organized by: MARSM UK + El Wekala

The trailblazing Cairokee returns to Europe this year.

One of the biggest bands to emerge from the Arabic-speaking world, Cairokee’s songs have become anthems of a generation. With infectious music and uplifting lyrics, Cairokee has become a driving force in the region and abroad.

As part of their upcoming tour, don’t miss their Paris date. Buy your tickets now!

Tickets for London (20/11) and Berlin (23/11) available.

This event is brought to you by Marsm & El Wekala.

Date: November 18, 2022

Venue: The Elgar Room

Address: Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, South Kensington, London SW7 2AP

Time: 20:00

Ages: All customers aged 14 years or below must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 years or over

Organized by: MARSM UK + EFG London Jazz Festival

Giving classical Arabic music influences a contemporary sound, Banah and her quartet will be taking their audience on a journey through the renowned hits that have shaped the Arabic music industry since the 1930s.

As part of the EFG London Jazz Festival, Banah and her quartet present Jaziyyat. A first of its kind, Jazziyat is a musical revival that brings a contemporary twist to classical renditions by the musical giants of the region, including the likes of Umm Kulthum, Abdel Halim Hafez, Abdel Wahab and Asmahan.

Join us at The Royal Albert Hall’s Elgar Room as the Palestinian-Canadaian artist showcases a style of music that differentiates her from many peer artist in the Arabic-speaking world. Banah’s memorable musical interpretation plays on the sentiment of combining modernised elements with memorable classics, a talent that has garnered her millions of views and newfound audiences around the world.

Date: November 17, 2022

Venue: Cabaret Sauvage

Address: 59 Boulevard Macdonald 75019 Paris France

Time: 19:00

Ages: This event is 12+ . Any minor to be accomanpanied by 18+.

Organized by: MARSM UK + Mir'a

Adonis performs its anticipated upcoming album ‘Hadis El Layl’ in Paris.

Famed Lebanese pop/rock band Adonis first came into sight with its debut single “Stouh Adonis” (2012), a dance tune relaying tales of night-time adventures on the rooftops of the group’s small suburban town. Renowned for its signature Arabic lyrics and blistering live performances, Adonis captured the hearts of an avid and devoted fan base and have since performed sold out shows at major venues and independent festivals across the Arabic-speaking world, such as Carthage International Festival (Tunisia), Baalbeck International Festival (Lebanon), Amman Roman Amphitheatre (Jordan) and Arab World Institute (France).

Launching its sixth studio album “Hadis El Layl” (Night Talks), Adonis will be performing two back-to-back concerts at Paris’ Cabaret Sauvage (November 17) and Berlin’s Oyoun (November 19), just a few days after the release of the much anticipated record. For the first time ever, the band will be performing songs from the new album as well as fan favorites from its impressive 10-year spanning catalogue.

Date: November 17, 2022

Venue: Rich Mix London

Address: 35-47 Bethnal Green Road London E1 6LA

Time: 19:30

Organized by: MARSM UK + EFG London Jazz Festival

As part of EFG London Jazz Festival, Palestinian composer and Oud player Saied Silbak presents his newest album “The Small Things”.

In this thought-provoking, musically innovative and beautifully crafted performance, Silbak will be performing – for the first time – his newest original instrumental pieces as well as songs, exposing the attentive listener to a rich and exquisite sound.

With Silbak’s unique understanding of different music traditions, from Arab, Turkish and Indian to classical Western styles, “The Small Things” uses his signature fusion of these styles to express reality as he sees it. Drawing on his personal experience living amongst two different cultures, he shares the thoughts behind the things that are often overlooked – yet, are ultimately what give life its vibrant colours.

For this special EFG London Jazz Festival show, Silbak performs in a quintet format with clarinet and Nay player Mohamed Najem, percussionist and composer Bernhard Schimpelsberger, pianist Meg Morley and bassist Tom Mason.

Date: November 16, 2022

Venue: Kings Place

Address: 90 York Way, London, N1 9AG

Time: 20:30

Organized by: MARSM UK + EFG London Jazz Festival

For this year’s EFG London Jazz Festival, pianist Tarek Yamani makes his long-awaited return to London, featuring Elie Afif on acoustic bass and Khaled Yassine on drums.

Performing material from his critically acclaimed album Lisan Al Tarab: Jazz Conceptions in Classical Arabic, as well as brand new music from his upcoming album, Tarek Yamani traverses classical Arabic music within the frameworks of Black American jazz and maqam-based compositions set against intoxicating Mahragan and Dabke rhythms.

Born and raised in Beirut, Yamani is a pianist, composer and producer who is acclaimed for music that is ‘full of poetry and mysticism’ from revisiting the classic traditions of the Arab world through the complex rhythms and harmonies of Black American Music. With invigorating style, Yamani ingeniously intersects these two eclectic cultures and musical heritages.

Winner of the ‘Thelonious Monk Jazz Composers Competition 2010’, he was invited to perform at the inaugural International Jazz Day in 2012, held at the UN headquarters in New York. He has performed and composed in a variety of other styles including Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, Flamenco, Electronic and chamber music, and in venues such as the Smithsonian, La Merce (Spain), Dubai Expo 2020, Boulez Saal, Dizzy’s (Jazz at Lincoln Center), Gran Teatro de la Habana, Melbourne Arts Center, Detroit Institute of Arts, and Aaron Davis Hall to name a few.

Tarek also writes essays observing relationships between science and music as he self-published two educational books about rhythm. Tarek’s 2017 work Peninsular, commissioned by the Abu Dhabi Festival, is a pioneering interpretation of rhythms of the Arabian Peninsula within the frameworks of jazz.

Date: November 14, 2022

Venue: The Jazz Cafe

Address: 5 Parkway, London NW1 7PG

Time: 19:00

Ages: 18+

Organized by: The Jazz Cafe + EFG London Jazz Festival

This show has been postponed: We regret to inform guests that due to delays with the UK visa office, the band are unable to travel to the UK and the show on 14th November has been postponed. We will be in touch with a rescheduled date in early 2023 at the earliest possible opportunity. All tickets will remain valid for the rescheduled date.

One of the pivotal figures in the development and discovery of Egyptian music, Hany Shenouda is of legendary status in the world of North African music.

The expert composer has crafted a wide range of projects from movie scores to pop albums, classical anthems to multilingual ballads.

With his productions reissued by Habibi Funk, Shenouda’s work is considered to be some of the most creative which has arisen from the Middle Eastern scene.

Having played some of the most prestigious musical spaces in the southern hemisphere, Shenouda arrives at our venue for an unmissable musical masterclass.

Date: November 12, 2022

Venue: The Garage

Address: 20-22 Highbury Corner London N5 1RD

Time: 23:00

Ages: 18+

Organized by: Marsm UK + Hishek Bishek

Get ready to take the dance floor to the musical soundtrack of your favourite late-night Arabic party!

Hishek Bishek is a pulsing club night dedicated to the Middle East’s popular music history and vibrant sonic cultures. From chart-topping Iraqi and Lebanese dancefloor hits, and the newest releases from Egypt’s underground, to Palestinian electronic dabke and nostalgic synthed-out 90’s classics, Hishek Bishek has become a vibrant staple in London’s late-night club scene.

This event is strictly 18+ and photo ID* is mandatory

*You must bring photo ID that is not expired (examples of accepted ID: drivers license, passport, BRP, or any other form of valid government-issued photo ID – can be international). Unfortunately, refunds cannot be provided if you are not able to show your valid photo ID.

Date: November 12, 2022

Venue: Oyoun

Address: Lucy-Lameck-Straße 32 12049 Berlin Germany

Time: 19:30

Ages: 14+ | Under 18's to be accompanied by an adult.

Organized by: MARSM UK + OBBA Berlin

PLEASE NOTE: Due to visa issues out of our control, Afroto will not be joining Marwan Moussa on stage in Berlin. Marwan will still be performing his own hits, including new releases.

Spearheading the infectious wave of Arab-trap in the region, the Egyptian artist Marwan Moussa makes his Berlin debut.

Rapper and producer, Marwan Moussa has been on the scene since 2016, and has spent the past years releasing a staggering amount of singles and EPs, with his first national hit ‘Sheraton’ released in 2020 and followed up with his feature album ‘Florida’.

This event is brought to you by: MARSM UK, El Wekala and OBBA.

Date: November 09, 2022

Venue: The Garage

Address: 20-22 Highbury Corner London N5 1RD

Time: 19:30

Ages: 14+ | Under 16's to be accompanied by an adult.

Organized by: MARSM UK + Bagri Foundation

Spearheading the infectious wave of Arab-trap in the region, the Egyptian artists Marwan Moussa and Afroto make their London debut.

The two artists from Ra2smal collective, who are also best friends offstage, will be performing their own hits, new releases and sharing the stage to perform their collaboration tracks.

MARWAN MOUSSA

Rapper and producer, Marwan Moussa has been on the scene since 2016, and has spent the past years releasing a staggering amount of singles and EPs, with his first national hit ‘Sheraton’ released in 2020 and followed up with his feature album ‘Florida’.

AFROTO

Hailing from El Seyouf, Alexandria, Afroto burst onto the scene in 2019 with his hit ‘Segara’. He has been taking Egypt by storm with his hits ‘MSH BEL HOZOOZ’, ‘FAR2 KHEBRA’ and ‘HARAZEEK’ released in 2022, and has been making consistent chart-toppers ever since, with a lot more to come.

This event is the second in a series of events between Bagri Foundation and Marsm UK that look to explore the contemporary evolution of rap, hip hop, trap and electronica in South West Asia and North Africa.

– BLTNM 11/10/22

– Marwan Moussa & Afroto 09/11/22

– SWANA Hip-Hop Showcase 19/11/22

Date: November 07, 2022

Venue: The Water Rats

Address: 328 Grays Inn Road London WC1X 8BZ

Time: 19:30

Ages: 18+ (ID may be requested)

Organized by: MARSM UK

Mesmerising Arabic pop jumbo by the Jerusalemite trailblazer.

Iconic pop artist Bashar Murad blazed onto the music scene in 2018 with his genre-bending music and playfully visual branding that defied the patriarchal structures of his environment. A singer, lyricist, director and composer, Bashar uses pop music and art as a vehicle to challenge stereotypes, normativity and to highlight social issues facing young generations of urban Palestinians.

Growing up in Jerusalem surrounded by the works and compositions of one of Palestine’s most innovative bands, Sabreen, their studio provided the perfect playground for Bashar to absorb their masterful works. The release of his debut EP “Maskhara” (Arabic for “Mockery”) in 2021 was ‘a masterpiece of escapist sonic finesse’, enmeshed with satire and an innovative pop aesthetic.

Bashar’s Arabic pop gumbo has since become sought after at regional, European and North American festivals and events, and in 2020 he was signed to Indie Label, Pop Arabia. He has been featured in articles from CBC, The Guardian, the Globe, The Mail and the BBC, with the press describing him as “The Palestinian singer blurring gender lines” and a “slightly built, mild-mannered Arabic provocateur.”

Date: October 29, 2022

Venue: The Barbican

Address: Silk St, Barbican, London EC2Y 8DS

Time: 19:30

Ages: All Ages

Organized by: MARSM UK + The Barbican

The Franco-Algerian singer-songwriter and guitarist performs songs from her forthcoming album Sequana.

Souad Massi takes her musical roots from wide-ranging and diverse styles. Her tenth album draws on folk, country, rock, calypso, bossa, and sounds of the Middle East and the Algerian desert.

Massi began her career fronting the Kabyle political rock band Atakor, earning her a reputation as a troublemaker in an Algeria torn apart by civil war. After fleeing to Paris following a series of death threats, she performed at the 1999 Femmes d’Algérie to great acclaim, earning her first recording contract.

Support comes from Palestinian singer Ruba Shamshoum, whose poetic mix of dream pop, jazz and Middle Eastern soul tells bold stories of femininity, vulnerability, and human connection to nature and one’s self.

Date: October 11, 2022

Venue: EartH (Evolutionary Arts Hackney)

Address: 11-17 Stoke Newington Road London N16 8BH

Time: 20:00

Ages: 16+ (Under 18's with an adult 21+)

Organized by: MARSM UK + Bagri Foundation

This October, Marsm and Bagri Foundation are joining forces to present the UK debut of the pioneering Palestinian collective and label BLTNM.

Founded in 2016, BLTNM has become one of the most recognisable names in the scene, placing Ramallah on the map as an international powerhouse of music. A collective of six artists renowned for their string of almost anthemic releases, BLTNM’s music has become the soundtrack of their generation, and their beat goes unmatched

Artist lineup

Shabjdeed:

Straight out of the restless town of Kufr Aqab, Palestine, a talent by the name of Abu Othaina emerged. His controversial takes and raw skills were an instant addition to the Palestinian rap scene. Later known by his alter-ego Shabjdeed, his self-titled debut track gained traction and caught the attention of Al Nather, an influential local producer.

Together, they cemented the character of Shabjdeed, and the resulting act quickly became one of the most influential and popular in the region. The duo developed their own niche dark hip-hop and trap style that combines Shabjdeed’s nihilistic and daringly personal delivery with Al Nather’s colorful and rhythmic instrumentals.

Al Nather:

The veteran, the scene daddy, the pickiest of ears, Al Nather has been making music for almost a decade now. Growing up, he was a part of a local collective known as Saleb Wahad (-1), and through it he learned to hone the Arabic-infused style that was later to become a part of his unique sound.

Today’s Al Nather is a well-established rapper and producer, who collaborated with some of the most popular artists in the region and performed alongside the likes of Jamie xx, Kutmah, and Sinistarr. Al Nather’s work was featured heavily in Boiler Room’s audiovisual project Palestine Underground. In recent years, Al Nather has become Shabjdeed’s executive and producer. The duo put out an impressive repertoire of hits and have dropped the critically acclaimed debut album, Sindibad. in 2019.

Date: October 08, 2022

Venue: The Garage

Address: 20-22 Highbury Corner London N5 1RD

Time: 23:00

Ages: 18+

Organized by: Marsm UK + Hishek Bishek

London’s favourite late-night Arabic party celebrates its 30th edition at The Garage!

Lace up your dancing shoes, and get ready to take the dance floor to the musical soundtrack of your favourite late-night Arabic party!

Celebrating its 30th edition, Hishek Bishek is a pulsing club night dedicated to the Middle East’s popular music history and vibrant sonic cultures. From chart-topping Iraqi and Lebanese dancefloor hits, and the newest releases from Egypt’s underground, to Palestinian electronic dabke and nostalgic synthed-out 90’s classics, Hishek Bishek has become a vibrant staple in London’s late-night club scene.

This event is strictly 18+ and photo ID* is mandatory

*You must bring photo ID that is not expired (examples of accepted ID: drivers license, passport, BRP, or any other form of valid government-issued photo ID – can be international). Unfortunately, refunds cannot be provided if you are not able to show your valid photo ID.

Date: September 30, 2022

Venue: Studio 9294

Address: 92 Wallis Road London E9 5LN

Time: 23:00

Ages: 18+

Organized by: DNDARA + MARSM UK

London’s newest SWANA Electronic night: The 2nd edition of DNDARA features a stellar all-female line up.

After a successful first edition, DNDARA London is back!

This new event series showcases electronic dance music DJs from the SWANA region (South West Asia and North Africa) and beyond. Featuring another all-female line up spinning the finest of drum n bass, techno and house, we’re taking over Hackney Wick’s Studio 9294 until the early hours.

Saliah

KLO

Luma

Saroor

The second edition of DNDARA is produced by MARSM UK with programming and curating support by Saliah.

The main dance floor and toilets of Studio 9294 are wheelchair accessible, while their canal-side smoking area is unfortunately not.

Date: September 16, 2022

Venue: Abdul Aziz Naser Theatre

Address: Souq Waqif, Doha, Qatar

Time: 19:00

Arabic stand up comedy: “Lockdown” with Alaa Abu Diab

After a series of sold-out shows in Palestine, London, Amman, and Beirut, stand-up comedian Alaa Abu Diab returns to Doha with his unique brand of ironic humour. This time, he speaks about his experience during lockdown: family, society, how life is under the pandemic, and other social issues that highlight the difference between Sweden and the Arab world.

Please note that this show will take place in Arabic only.

This show has been organised by Alif Stores.

Date: September 02, 2022

Venue: The Garage

Address: 20-22 Highbury Corner London N5 1RD

Time: 23:00

Ages: 18+

Organized by: Marsm UK + Hishek Bishek

Lace up your dancing shoes, and get ready to revel in the musical soundtrack of your favourite late-night Arab party!

Paying homage to the Middle East’s popular music history, Hishek Bishek is a pulsing club night dedicated to the region’s vibrant sonic cultures. From chart-topping Iraqi and Lebanese dancefloor hits, and the newest releases from Egypt’s underground, to Palestinian electronic dabke and nostalgic synthed-out 90’s classics, Hishek Bishek has become a vibrant staple in London’s late-night club scene.

This event is strictly 18+.

You must bring photo ID that is not expired (examples of accepted ID: drivers license, passport, BRP – or any other form of valid government-issued photo ID). You must bring your physical ID – scanned copies and photographs cannot be accepted.

Unfortunately, refunds cannot be provided if you are not able to show your valid photo ID (CANNOT BE EXPIRED!).

Date: July 30, 2022

Venue: The Grace

Address: 20-22 Highbury Corner, London, England, N5 1RD

Time: 20:00

Ages: 14+ | Under 16's to be accompanied by an adult.

Organized by: MARSM UK

Garnering millions of views via social media, and performing for the first time in London, the trap and rap artists Saint Levant and Bayou give a special show in the capital.

SAINT LEVANT

Saint Levant is a Palestininan/French/Algerian/Serbian artist, born in Jerusalem, raised in Gaza and currently based in California. Kicking off his career in late 2020 with the help of TikTok and Instagram, the 21 year old/young artist has amassed over 150,000 followers and hundreds of millions of views. His first single “Jerusalem Freestyle” garnered hundreds of thousands of streams, followed by an even bigger success with the release of “Nirvana in Gaza”.

While celebrating his musical successes, Levant struggled with maintaining a balance between his startup company connecting Palestinians to the diaspora to investment opportunities, his university obligations, content creation, political activism, podcasting and his personal life – which led to scattered musical output. However, the past 6 month has seen Levant dedicate himself to his art, releasing over 10 singles and taking the live stage for the first time.

BAYOU

Hailing from Egypt, Bayou is a genre-bending vocalist whose eclectic sound nurtures a fine mix of Middle Eastern heritage, with pop, trap, and R&B. In 2019, Bayou dropped his first single Moonlight inspired by the enticing belly dancers of Egypt, which has grown to reach 1,500,000 streams. Since then, he’s gone on to make other Arab infused tracks such as King of Cairo, Persian Girl and Casablanca, all of which have garnered the attention of fans in the Middle East and the Diaspora. Receiving recognition from COLORS L’Officiel, Pause Mag SceneNoise and GQ MiddleEast, Bayou’s goal has been to shed light on the stories and sounds that the Middle East and North Africa has to offer.

Date: July 22, 2022

Venue: Electrowerkz

Address: 7 Torrens St, London EC1V 1NQ

Time: 23:00

Ages: 18+

Organized by: Marsm UK + Hishek Bishek

Lace up your dancing shoes, and get ready to revel in the musical soundtrack of your favourite late-night Arab party!

Paying homage to the Middle East’s popular music history, Hishek Bishek is a pulsing club night dedicated to the region’s vibrant sonic cultures. From chart-topping Iraqi and Lebanese dancefloor hits, and the newest releases from Egypt’s underground, to Palestinian electronic dabke and nostalgic synthed-out 90’s classics, Hishek Bishek has become a vibrant staple in London’s late-night club scene.

This event is strictly 18+.

You must bring photo ID that is not expired (examples of accepted ID: drivers license, passport, BRP – or any other form of valid government-issued photo ID). You must bring your physical ID – scanned copies and photographs cannot be accepted.

Unfortunately, refunds cannot be provided if you are not able to show your valid photo ID (CANNOT BE EXPIRED!).

Please email enquiries@electrowerkz.co.uk with questions regarding ID, entry, and in the case of any problems.

Date: July 22, 2022

Venue: Kings Place - Hall One

Address: 90 York Way, London N1 9AG

Time: 20:00

Organized by: MARSM UK + Kings Place

Striking a resilient harmony between Sufi musical performance and contemporary poetry, Bachar Zarkan returns to London to present ‘Messages from Abu Nawas’.

Bachar Zarkan’s newest project Messages from Abu Nawas is a unique musical journey through Sufism that explores the concept of ‘self’ and ‘other’ throughout time.

For this July date, Zarkan performs songs written by contemporary poets, while also paying homage to the divine poetry of the Sufi mystics and thinkers such as Abu Nuwas, Al Hallaj and Suhrawardi. Pushing the boundaries of traditional Sufi music, he creates a new genre of spiritual and poetic interpretation, highlighting new levels of Sufism that enlighten the noblest feelings of love and rebellion.

Further testimony to Zarkan’s astonishing musical agility, the works are presented and based on the inner musicality of their text, the inherent ‘poetic word’ decides the rhythmic structure of the works, and through it, ingeniously couples authentic Arabic modes alongside contemporary Arabic music.

This event has been made possible through support from Arts Council England.

Date: July 20, 2022

Venue: Bloomsbury Theatre

Address: Bloomsbury Theatre, 15 Gordon Street, London, WC1H 0AH

Time: 20:00

Ages: 8+

Organized by: MARSM UK + Curfew

Hawiyya Dance Company and El-Funoun Palestinian Dance Troupe present Curfew, a contemporary dance production.

Curfew speaks to a world that is numbed and no longer able to respond to the constant bombardment of news, surveillance and manipulation. It dares to stimulate the development of new reactions and discussions on social activism, bringing awareness of everyday life experience and individual self reflection, helping us to increase our understanding of and engagement with the world around us.

The dance groups will present a unique performance, bringing together Curfew with Love in the Time of Apartheid, a contemporary dance production devised and performed by solo artist and director Sharaf Dar Zaid.

The dance performance’s omnipresent themes of time – past and present – information, introspection, frustration and rebellion, lead us to face existential questions, whilst living and understanding concepts of opportunity, privilege, responsibility and duty. To challenge helplessness and to facilitate action to change, to become better world citizens, we have a duty and responsibility to channel important messages to the wider world.

The production does not give an answer, rather it questions the public and encourages us (the audience) to find our own answers by expiring and reflecting on our positions and our actions towards oppression, injustice and complexity.

Time passes, life goes on. Would you take responsibility to rather keep the CURFEW?

Love in the Time of Apartheid presents the start of internal conflict of an individual torn between the love for his homeland and the love for his partner. Through a rollercoaster of insomnia, stress, torment, and defiance, the dancer draws on his own personal story to represent that of thousands of Palestinians who struggle for family reunification.

This will be one of two UK performances sponsored by the Arts Council, British Council, Liverpool Arab Arts Festival and Interpal.

Performance is 50min with a 30min post-show Q&A.

No age guidance but is recommended for 8+ years.

Date: July 15, 2022

Venue: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic

Address: Philharmonic Hall, Hope St, Liverpool, L1 9BP

Time: 20:00

Organized by: Liverpool Arab Arts Festival

The London Syrian Ensemble (LSE), led by composer and Ney soloist Louai Alhenawi, is a stunning collective of eight musicians and graduates from Syria’s renowned Damascus Conservatoire.

This show reveals LSE’s new project, Sounds of Syria, a dynamic and emotional work, which brings to the stage new instrumental arrangements by composers from Syria and its diaspora. The ensemble includes oud, kanun, ney, violin, viola, double bass and percussion and performances also include a range of fantastic guest vocalists.

Alongside featured guest vocalists and songs from Arabic folk and classical repertoire, Sounds of Syria examines the new approaches and sounds created when Syrian music is composed in foreign lands, exploring themes of longing and loss, hope and new beginnings.

‘Regardless of the progression of new lives elsewhere, the essence of a lost Syria is never too far behind’

The National

This event has been organised by Liverpool Arab Arts Festival.

Date: July 02, 2022

Venue: The Jazz Cafe

Address: 5 Parkway, London NW1 7PG

Time: 19:00

Ages: 18+

Organized by: MARSM UK + The Jazz Cafe

Bringing together the finest selection of electronic artists from the Middle East and North Africa, Kahareb celebrates the vibrant scenes of techno, electro-chaabi, global bass, house, and more – and the spectacular performers making it all happen.

AMMAR 808

Releasing the breakthrough album ‘Maghreb United’ in 2018, Brussels-based Tunisian electronic producer Sofyann Ben Youssef (aka AMMAR 808) pioneered a powerful mixture of deep TR-808 bass and Pan-Maghreb beats and voices. His latest album takes him to the Tamil Nadu region of southern India for a breath-taking new adventure. With a suitcase full of recording equipment, he set up base in the pulsing city of Chennai and undertook a collaborative reimagining of the area’s rich and resonant musics ranging from trance temple sounds to rap-like street theatre. Futurist syncopations meet hypnotic, timeless narratives and visuals to match.

HELLO PSYCHALEPPO

Hailing from one of the most mystical and musically rich cities in the Levant, Hello Psychaleppo is deeply rooted in Arabic music tradition. The brain child of Aleppian music producer and visual artist Samer Saem Eldahr, his music has captivated listeners with melodic strains of Tarab, threaded seamlessly together with the convoluted sounds of electronic music. Hello Psychaleppoʼs album “Gool Lʼah” was the first of its kind, combining Arabic music theory and rhythms with electronic music tools creating a his signature blend called Electro-Tarab.

Date: July 01, 2022

Venue: Kings Place - Hall One

Address: 90 York Way, London N1 9AG

Time: 20:30

Organized by: MARSM UK

London Syrian Ensemble is a stunning collective of eight musicians and graduates from Syria’s renowned Damascus Conservatoire. Led by composer and Ney soloist Louai Alhenawi, this show marks the return of their acclaimed project ‘Sounds of Syria’ to London’s Kings Place.

This dynamic and emotional work brings to the stage new instrumental arrangements by composers from Syria and its diaspora. Alongside featured guest vocalists and songs from Arabic folk and classical repertoire, Sounds of Syria examines the new approaches and sounds created when Syrian music is composed in foreign lands, exploring themes of longing and loss, hope and new beginnings.

ABOUT LONDON SYRIAN ENSEMBLE

Founded in 2017, London Syrian Ensemble perform on the enticing combination of ney (wooden flute), kanun (zither), daf (frame drum), riqq (tambourine) and darbuka (hand drum), violins, violas, double bass and percussion. The ensemble is comprised of Syrian musicians who, since leaving Syria, are now long-term residents in the UK, and have performed across England from London’s Southbank Centre and British Museum, to the Liverpool World Museum and many more.

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR

The London Syrian Ensemble (LSE) is led by Louai Alhenawi, a composer and ney soloist who studied and taught at the eminent Damascus Conservatoire. He recently held the position of the Musical Director for the first Arabic Musical in the UK, ‘Umm Kulthum’ which made its worldwide premiere at the London Palladium. Alongside his work with the LSE, Alhenawi also leads the SOAS Middle Eastern Ensemble and has recorded and toured with acclaimed artists including Fairouz, Shakira, Brian Eno, Damon Albarn, Terry Hall, Gabriel Yared and Natacha Atlas.

This event has been made possible through support from Arts Council England.