Musicport Festival 2009 promises a wide range of international, national and regional artists celebrating 10 years of bringing the best in global music to the Yorkshire coast. This year’s eclectic line up mixes many artists who are new to the festival with some previous special guests. With the successful transition to its new venue at the recently refurbished Spa Complex in Bridlington undertaken last year this year Musicport 09 is set to be the biggest and best yet.
The 10th anniversary will be a celebration of the last ten years as well as pointer towards what the future holds in store for its loyal audience that has grown year on year. This year the festival is back in its traditional half term dates and takes place over the weekend of 23-25 October 2009. The line-up so far includes music, dance and spoken word traditions from countries as diverse as Tibet, New Zealand, Chile, India, Malawi, Jamaica, D R Congo, Sudan, Philippines, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Cape Verde, Bulgaria, Niger and Brazil as well as many excellent UK based artists.
The festival includes the multi-talented Nitin Sawhney (at the forefront of the Asian Underground movement), regular Radio 4 comedian/musician Mitch Benn, the classic roots reggae of Misty in Roots, the gentle Maori music of Pacific Curls, the lead singer of The Inspiral Carpets, the only living master of the traditional instrument of the fishermen of Lake Chad in Niger Mamane Barka, stunning Flamenco music & dance, the best African jazz ensemble, BBC Radio 3 World Music Award winners Justin Adams & Juldeh Camara.
Also featured are: top ambient DJ/producer Banco De Gaia, the haunting polyphonic singing of the Pirin mountains in Bulgaria by the Bisserov Sisters, the political folk harmonies of Chumbawamba, the amazing spectacle of Sufi music and whirling dervishes of Forever Haqqani, the award-winning English musician Jim Moray, dub poet Jean Binta Breeze. From Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalists (& Musicport regulars) The Urban Gypsies, the trance-inducing Sudanese acoustic dance music of Rango as well as a host of local musicians and performers
The festival has 4 stages all in one gloriously restored Art Deco venue overlooking Bridlington’s extensive South Beach sands. With workshops, spoken word events, film, children’s events, festival market , DJ room and food court the festival offers an all weather alternative to the outdoor summer festivals and is many peoples chance to recapture and rekindle that festival spirit (and paddle in the sea) before the nights get way too long.
Line-up (subject to contract):
Nitin Sawhney
Misty In Roots
Mad Professor Ariwa Possee
Justin Adams & Juldeh Camara
African Jazz All Stars
Chumbawamba
Banco De Gaia
Abdullah Chhadeh & Syriana
Sumayo Flamenco
Pacific Curls (New Zealand)
Les Quatre Étoiles (Congo)
Mitch Benn
Batanai (Zimbabwe)
Jim Moray (England)
Jean Binta Breeze
Carmen Souza (Cape Verde)
Rafiki Jazz
The Hut People
The Ukrainians
Forever Haqqani (Sheikh Ahmad Dede & His Whirling Dervishes)
Mamane Barka (Niger)
Rango (Sudan /Egypt)
Tom Hingley
Bisserov Sisters (Bulgaria)
The Balkanatics
Tashi Lhunpo Monks (Tibet)
Jack Mapanje (Malawi)
La Romeria De Santa Fortuna (Chile)
Adriano Adewale Group (Brazil/UK)
Cloudbase
Samay (UK/India)
Fernhill (Wales)
Mother India – MI21 remix
Maalstroom & Jo Freya (UK/Netherlands
Guy Buttery & Nibs Van Der Spuy (solo & duo)
DJ Monkey Pilot
Union Central
Ian Clayton & Boff Whalley
Flying Chilli Beats
Bon Appetit
Eddy John
Urban Gypsies
LK Dance (Phillipines)
Delta Maid
Andrew Lowe
Kadesha
Karen Tweed & Reg Meuross
Country & Eastern Band
Martin Stephenson
This year’s featured cause is Love Music Hate Racism.
Ticket Prices There are cut-price full weekend tickets £79.50 available until August (Then they go up to £89.50). Day & session tickets go on sale on 1st July. There is an official campsite (charged separately) and an abundance of B & B /self catering accommodation within easy walking distance of the venue
Ticket Line 0845 3732760. www.musicportfestival.com
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central
