This is the 6th edition of the Med Festival, one of the most highly regarded world music festivals in [wiki:Portugal], and it will once again be taking the historical city centre of Loulé by storm. From the 24th to the 28th of June, the city will be transformed into a stage for cultural manifestations and a fusion of cultures.
After playbills in previous years that have included names such as Solomon Burke, Jimmy Cliff, Balkan Beat Box, Amadou & Mariam, Tinariwen and Caravan Palace, the organizers guarantee that this year’s festival will have “the biggest and most international program ever”.
The line up for the main stages will be presented in full on the 28th of May. Until then, Ojos de Brujo, Bajofondo Tango Club, two major names from the world music circuit, are already confirmed.
Ojos de Brujo, a band which is one of the main ambassadors of new [wiki:flamenco], will be on stage at the Med Festival on Thursday the 25th of June, in a performance that will be the Barcelona band’s first in Portugal since the Sudoeste Festival in 2007. They will be presenting their most recent album, Aocana, which was recorded this year.
Bajofondo Tango Club made their Med Festival début two years ago with the 4th edition’s closing concert on the 1st of July 2007. Led by Gustavo Santaollalla, the band’s electronic tango rhythm so delighted the public that the organizers broke their own rule and invited them back for this year’s event. The “group of composers, singers and artists”, as they call themselves, will be presenting Mar Dulce, their most recent work (2007), at a performance scheduled for the 24th of June, the first day of the festival.
About the Med Festival
Organized and promoted by Loulé Municipal Council, the Med Festival, now in its 6th edition, is a world music event that takes its inspiration from Mediterranean culture, turning the historical city centre of Loulé into a parade of cultural manifestations.
With the city decked out in warm colors, this five-day annual event offers a line up of multifaceted experiences in which music takes pride of place. As this claims to be a festival of world music, major names from the international circuit have already taken to the MED stage. Plastic arts, gastronomy, handicrafts, theatre and street entertainment are also featured at the event.
Buy recordings by the artists:
- In North America: Mar Dulce & Bajofondo Remixed by Bajofondo. Techarí, Aocana, Barí, Remixes from Barí, Vengue, Techarí Liveand Remezclas de la Casa by Ojos de Brujo
- In Europe: Bajofondo Tango Club, Mar Dulce, and Bajofondo Remixed by Bajofondo. Aocana, Bari, Techari, and Remezclas De La Casa (Remixes From The House) by Ojos de Brujo
For more information please visit www.myspace.com/festivalmed
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central
