MARSM and Liverpool Arab Arts Festival present boundary-breaking Lekhfa at the Invisible Wind Factory

Liverpool Arab Arts Festival (LAAF) has partnered with events company MARSM to bring a boundary-breaking concert by Lekhfa to the Invisible Wind Factory Substation on Tuesday 24 April.

A captivating collaboration between three legendary and Egyptian indie artists Maryam Saleh, Maurice Louca and Tamer Abu Ghazaleh, the project is one of the most enticing to emerge from Egypt’s burgeoning underground music scene.

Funded by Arts Council England (ACE) through the Grants for the Arts funding stream and presented by LAAF and MARSM, an events company that promotes the rich and diverse culture of the Arab world across the UK and beyond, the gig will feature bass-heavy to stripped down Egyptian dance tracks intertwined around the dystopian poetry Mido Zoheir, one of the most celebrated Egyptian poets of their generation.

Coming of age in 90s Cairo and each having paved their own way through the alternative Arabic music scene, the trio have united to create a stunning new album that gives birth to an off-kilter sound of beats, grit and resistance.

Teetering on the edges of Egyptian shaabi, electro-shaabi, pop and psychedelia, the trio are backed by anything from oud and buzuq lute to slide guitars, drums, beat loops and electronica, promising an evening of extraordinary musical talent and creativity.

The concert, which sees LAAF and MARSM unite in their shared mission to showcase the very best of Arab culture, will also mark the launch of LAAF’s 20^th anniversary programme, which this year runs from 5-15 July.

The line up announcement will include details of its enhanced musical programme for 2018, facilitated by the provision of additional resources by Culture Liverpool as part of the city’s 2018 celebrations.

Earlier this year LAAF was one of 14 festivals provided with extra funding to allow an even more ambitious musical programme as the city celebrates a decade since its year as European Capital of Culture.

The UK’s biggest annual Arab arts festival has also revealed the date and headline acts for its ever-popular finale event Family Day. The event will return to Sefton Park Palm House on Sunday 15 July to showcase some of the hottest talent in Arab music, including boundary breaking Danish-Palestinian percussionist Simona Abdallah, Simo Lagnawi & Gnawa London, who will bring Gnawa – the music of formerly enslaved black Africans who integrated into the Moroccan social and cultural landscape – to life, and The London Syrian Ensemble, a collective of some of Syria’s finest musicians based in the UK.

Taher Qassim MBE, Chair of Liverpool Arab Arts Festival said: “LAAF works on a model of partnership and collaboration and uniting with MARSM to bring Lekhfa to the Invisible Wind Factory is a perfect example of aligning with another organisation that is committed to promoting the very best of Arab culture to a diverse audience. Twenty years on from our inception it is only fitting that we continue to showcase the work of Arab artists who are pushing the boundaries of their genres and adding to the rich tapestry of contemporary and traditional Arab culture. We look forward to revealing our full line up next month and sharing a wealth of Arab talent with our diverse festival audiences, from newcomers to ardent enthusiasts of the scene.”

Each year, LAAF attracts tens of thousands to Liverpool for a thrilling showcase of the richness of Arab culture, with a packed programme of visual art, music, dance, film, theatre, literature and special events taking place in venues across the city.

Confirmed partners for LAAF’s 2018 edition include FACT, Invisible Wind Factory, Open Eye Gallery, Bluecoat and Savera UK, with more to be announced.

For more information or to book tickets for Lekhfa at the Invisible Wind Factory visit Skiddle here.