DUBAI – Expo 2020’s Jubilee Stage will be alive with the sounds and rhythms of the world this Friday (8 October), with a multi-cultural programme of artists from Canada, Hungary, India, Iran, Jordan, Réunion Island, Spain and Yemen, alongside notable homegrown talents. Expo Beats presents World Beats runs until Saturday (9 October).
Kolkata-bred, Dubai-based Indian dreampop duo Parekh & Singh are poster boys for Indian indie musicians, with music that features none of the stereotypical sitars and tablas that have come to characterise Indian music. Guitarist, vocalist and synth-player Parekh and percussionist Singh produce urban sounds that have found their way into the hearts of listeners across the world.
Dubai-basedcomposer and guitarist Niki Mukhi will mesmerise with music inspired by flamenco, jazz, qawwali, Indian classical and soul music.
Concert-goers can enjoy a taste of Canadian folk music courtesy of Beòlach, a dynamic and colourful group from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.Formed in 1998 by fiddlers Wendy MacIsaac and Màiri Rankin, pianist Mac Morin, guitarist Patrick Gillis and piper Ryan MacNeil, the band are best known for 2020 album All Hands, which won two Canadian Folk Music Awards.
Having formed in 1995, Kerekes Band take audiences on a cultural trip through Hungary’s folk music scene – with a contemporary twist – thanks to the invention of their own musical genre, Magyar funk. With their captivating presence, the band are in their element when performing live.
One of the most talented young flamenco singers around at the moment, Barcelona’s Miguel Poveda is something of a revelation with his in-depth knowledge and expertise in this field. His unorthodox style of singing should keep the audience at World Beats on their toes.
Since embarking on her singing career in 1999, Yemeni-Egyptian singer and television host Arwa has released four albums. A born performer, Arwa’s participation in the Expo festival is set to show the world how far this intrepid performer has come.
Independent rock and pop bandHayajanis known for their rich musicality, memorable melodies and explosions in sound. The passionate performance from the five members from Jordan and Iran promises to be a masterclass in the dynamics of collaboration.
A dancer, choreographer and performer from Réunion Island, Nick Liestal is now based in Dubai, where he is on a mission to bring audiences a unique experience created solely by him. Led by his belief that everyone has an animal part inside of them that they need to tame and then grow, those watching his primal choreographic narration are in for a wild ride.
Dedicated to the African-American tradition of “stepping”, Step Afrika! make their second appearance at Expo Beats, as does The Flip Side DJ, who will be demonstrating why vinyl sounds better than MP3s ever could.
Expo Beats will be hosting a new line-up of artists every month, creating a feel-good festival that knows no borders and aims to share traditional and contemporary sounds and styles to its diverse audiences.