Afghan singer-songwriter Elaha Soroor and her music are powerful symbols of resistance to the repressive Taliban regime in Afghanistan, who have taken away women’s rights and banned music-making across the country. This event sees her team up with Giuliano Modarelli, one half of the award-winning music/producer Kefaya. They will be joining forces for a fresh, vibrant take on Afghan folk music filtered through myriad forms, from spiritual jazz and dub to Indian classical music and electronica. Also performing alongside Elaha will be Shahbaz Hussain, an accomplished Tabla player who is renowned for his versatile and virtuosic style. They will be performing original songs from Elaha’s upcoming album.

Pre-concert talk & screenings from 5:30pm

Before the main performance, join us for a free talk with Elaha Soroor. The talk will be led by Dr Cayenna Ponchione-Bailey, conductor and composer of The Orchestral Music of Afghanistan: Looking Forward – a commissioning project co-created alongside Arson Fahim which aims to provide a platform and celebrate Afghan orchestral composers. A screening will then be held of the orchestral version of Elaha Soroor’s Baran, composed by herself and orchestrated by Matt Holburn which originally premiered last July in London as part of the Orchestral Music of Afghanistan: Looking Forward concert. Elaha will be interviewed by Dr Cayenna and joined online by Arson Fahim and Mohsen Saifi. A Q&A will take place at the end –  a chance for you to ask Elaha any questions you may have.

The bar will open from 5.00pm.

The talk at 5.30pm is a free event.

The performance at 7.30pm will require a ticket.

Funded by Arts and Humanities Knowledge Exchange.