Concert SeriesConcert SeriesIn conversation with BahiyyaDescriptionVoices of Resistance Through Time: In conversation with Bahiyya Monday 19th May, Doors and bar open 7pm, for 7.30pm start Tickets £5 for students and low-waged, £10 for everyone else! Location: Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre, SOAS Gallery, SOAS University of London Join us for an intimate evening with Bahiyya, showcasing the rich heritage of Arabic songs of resistance and tracing their immortal spirit across generations. The night will feature a special acoustic performance and a conversation exploring the band’s journey, influences, and vision. Audiences are invited to engage, ask questions, and reflect on the enduring role of music in activism. Click on the 'more info' tab above for more details on the songs that will be discussed.
Queer Utopico | A night with Alex Etchart & OlayaDescriptionQueer Utópico meets Brazil Wednesday 30 April, Doors 7pm, for 7.30pm start Location: Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre, SOAS Gallery, SOAS University of London La Linea, the London Latin music festival and SOAS Concert Series present a vibrant evening of music that explores the intersections of identity and culture with Alex Etchart and Olayá. Each artist brings their unique background and artistic vision, promising an inspiring night of bilingual and boundary-pushing performances. Alex Etchart, a British Uruguayan artist, blends Latin, Irish, and British folk influences into a captivating sound. With a background in classical and jazz music, they have created a new project called Vientos, which celebrates queer narratives and vibrant rhythms. Their first single, Johnny Barnes, is a forgotten queer Irish folk song that seeks to connect hidden histories through music and storytelling. Olayá is a flute and percussion band inspired by the pifano (bamboo flute) tradition from the Northeast of Brazil. Olayá combine the elemental force of flutes, rich vocal harmonies, driving percussion and bass. Their music is heavily rhythmic and contagiously fun, a fresh take on a traditional Brazilian sound. The SOAS Concert Series is supported by SOAS University Library
Shohret Nur | Rawap and DutarDescriptionSCS Lunchtime Listens Thursday 8th May, 2025 1-2pm SOAS Gallery, Lower ground floor Supported by SOAS University Library Following the success of our first Lunchtime Listen, the SOAS Concert Series presents the inimitable rawap and dutar player Shohret Nur, inside the SOAS Gallery, during the upcoming exhibition (Un)Layering the future past of South Asia: Young artists’ voices.
Songs of the Mystics | Qawwal Najmuddin Saifuddin & GroupDescriptionSONGS OF THE MYSTICS: Sufi Qawwali Thursday 12th June, 2025 Doors and bar open 5.30pm for a 6pm start.
6-7.30pm Film screening and Q&A with artists and film makers: Songs of the Sufi: The Untold Story of Classical Qawwali (film webpage) 7.45 - 9.15pm: Concert Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre (BGLT) Join us for an evening of film and music with one of South Asia's most esteemed qawwali ensembles, Qawal Najmuddin Saifuddin & Brothers, who are leading exponents of more than 800 years of this devotional Sufi singing tradition. Their songs reference thousands of years of mystic poetry, which has been passed from generation to generation. The songs, which constitute the qawwali repertoire, are in a number of languages. Those from the classical period are in dialects of north India like Braj Bhasha and Awadhi. These dialects continue to influence qawwali in other languages. There is rich tradition in other languages like Urdu, Punjabi, Persian and Saraiki. Please join us for this rare opportunity to experience the powerful voices, harmoniums and percussion of this esteemed ensemble. GROUP: Najmuddin Mohammed Lead Singer, Saifuddin Mehmood lead singer & harmonium, Zafeeruddin Ahmed singer Mughis Uddin singer, Ehtesmuddin Hussain singer, Muhammed Moazzam Al-Khair percussion & Salamat Ali – percussion
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
