VIDEO: Al Majaz Amphitheatre comes alive with music
- 06 Dec 2019
Sohaila Ahmed, Staff Reporter
The 2019–20 season of #letsmajaz opened at the Al Majaz Amphitheatre in Sharjah on Friday, with Iraqi-Swedish musical band, Tarabband, featuring Iraqi-Egyptian vocalist Nadin Al Khalidi and Iconic Iraqi musician and singer Ilham al-Madfai, delivered a breathtaking performances.
The concert is a one-of-a-kind experience for fans with Al Madfai picking the best from his 40-year musical repertoire, many of them hit numbers that creatively combine Arabic-Iraqi and Western music.
Tarabband offered the audience a cross-cultural musical experience with traditional Arabic songs played on western instruments.
This is Tarabband’s first concert in Sharjah, and it swept the audience off their feet with a cross-cultural musical experience played on Western instruments with a strong element of percussion.
Tarabband was founded in 2008 by Iraqi-Egyptian vocalist Nadin Al Khalidi in collaboration with the Swedish Gabriel Hermansson.
Tariq Saeed Allay, Director of Sharjah Government Media Bureau and CEO of Al Majaz Amphitheatre, earlier said: “Ilham Al Madfai is a true pioneer, having been the first musician to introduce modern rock instruments in the playing of Arabic music. We are delighted to host this regional and global musical icon at the Al Majaz Amphitheatre’s #letsmajaz new season.
"His fans in the UAE and Sharjah must be thrilled to know he is performing soon. If there was any way to enhance this unique musical experience, it was to be done by bringing someone of Tarabband’s caliber to share the stage with this legend. Their unique global sound transcends geographical borders and resonates with any and every music-loving soul.”
He added: “Over the past few years, Al Majaz Amphitheatre has emerged as a distinct cultural and arts destination in the UAE, complementing Sharjah’s role as an incubator of all forms of arts and creativity. The annual #letsmajaz brings together a host of renowned artists, fans and music lovers to transform our nights with renditions of world-class music. We hope the new season will build on the successes of our previous editions and leave the audience with everlasting memories.”
The two greats delivered an inspiring Mesopotamian musical night to fans and music lovers. Over the years, this world-class destination has become a regional hub for some of the best cultural events and concerts showcasing top artistic talents from around the world.
Meanwhile, international soul artist Lewis Capaldi, best known for his single “Someone You Loved” that topped the UK and US charts, will have his debut performance in the UAE at Al Majaz Amphitheatre on Jan.17, 2020, as part of the new season of #letsmajaz.
The iconic cultural landmark will enthrall music lovers across the UAE from December 2019 to April 2020, hosting a galaxy of top Arab and international music artists throughout the season.
The 23-year-old Scottish singer-songwriter was a child prodigy, playing drums and guitar at the age of two and performing in restaurants by the time he was nine years old.
His official musical career began at 17 when he acquired a manager after posting a song he had recorded on his mobile phone online.
His skyrocketing fame was evident when his UK concert, part of his 2020 world-wide tour, sold out in less than a minute.
His hit “Someone You Loved” video has clocked 75 million views on YouTube.