The first set of showcases at Tiny Desk meets globalFEST took place on Tuesday, January 18, 2022.
Prior to the concerts, globalFEST’s organizers hosted a gathering of the festival curators, booking agents, some of the artists and other world music professionals. , 7:30 p.m. This year’s curators include Shanta Thake, Bill Bragin, Isabel Soffer and Gabrielle Davenport. Tiny Desk meets globalFEST is a collaboration between National Public Radio’s Tiny Desk and globalFEST.
Suistamon Sähkö (Finland)
The first act on stage was Suistamon Sähkö. The group combines Finnish folk influences with Soviet-era accordion, electronic beats and hip hop.
Suistamon Sähkö’s first song was the most engaging of their set, a mix of traditional singing accompanied by accordion. However, the other two songs shifted towards tedious hip hop.
Bedouin Burger (Syria/Lebanon)
From the very beginning, Bedouin Burger delivered a charming performance. Syrian singer Lynn Adib started the concert with a flute that she recorded and looped electronically, and later switched to vocals for the rest of their show.
Lynn Adib has a beautiful, captivating vocal technique that gracefully intertwines Arabic and jazz stylings. Lebanese producer and multi-instrumentalist Zeid Hamdan played guitalele, frame drum and programmed exquisite electronic environments and beats. Bedouin Burger’s performance was elegant, modern, innovative, and rooted in ancient traditions.
More about Bedouin Burger.
Ak Dan Gwang Chil – ADG7 (South Korea)
The final performance for the night was by South Korean group Ak Dan Gwang Chil. This ensemble features several skilled instrumentalists on traditional instruments and drum set, fronted by three charismatic female singers dressed in contemporary variations of traditional Korean outfits.
ADG7’s music is rooted in shamanic traditions and the folk music of northern Korea, in what is present day North Korea.
Ak Dan Gwang Chil put together a memorable show with masterfully performed music, high energy, joy, and humor.
More about ADG7.
Day 1 performances are available here:
(headline image: Bedouin Burger at Tiny Desk meets globalFEST 2022)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.