|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
On Friday, October 20th, Mercan Dede mounted the platform with his troop of talented musicians and twirling whirling dervishes to kick off the Ramadan Nights series at the Barbican in London, England. Around 2000 seats were filled with culturally curious teens, open-minded Muslims, Turkish ex-pats, and members of the world music cognoscenti. The crowd’s positive energy suffused the concert hall with a warmth and intimacy generally characteristic of smaller, stuffier venues. Following a mellow and poignant performance by respected world music vocalist, Natacha Atlas, Mercan Dede entered his experimental music lab and gazed out at the expectant audience from behind an array of decks and synthesizers. In a way, the Barbican performance was like the perfect ending to a year of firsts. Mercan Dede’s latest album “Breath” broke into the European World Music Charts by securing the first place spot, he made his Japanese debut together with his band Secret Tribe in October at the Festival Konda Lota, and he premiered a special program he created for the decades-old Festival de Saint Denis, in France this past June. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
October 4th-8th, Japan. Mercan Dede Travels to JapanTurning up at number 1 on the prestigious world music-centric European hit list, the World Music Charts, immediately following the release of his latest album “Nefes (Breath)”, Mercan Dede continues his hectic international touring scheduled. His over-stuffed passport now includes a new stamp courtesy of the Haneda Airport officials in Japan where Mercan Dede recently landed to play before audiences at the Festival Konda Lota. Taking place between October 4th and 8th, Mercan Dede enchanted audiences at Tokyo’s Cocoon Teatre and Osaka’s illustrious performance center Club Quattro when he stepped on stage together with his band Secret Tribe. For the Japanese concert-goers, the shows were all the more-memorable as a result of performances by whirling dervishes Mira and Tanya. Lasting over 2 hours, after his performance Mercan Dede was feted by the Japanese Press and the festival organizers for contributing a new dimension to the festival program. In addition to his live concept-shows, Mercan Dede also got the chance to heat things up on the decks as DJ Arkin Allen at Japanese hot spot, Club Unit. Traveling the festival circuit all summer long, Mercan Dede’s summer has included performing across France at the Saint Denis Festival, and a show-stopping performance with world famous pianist Ludovico Einaudi in Italy, as well as his Japanese debut, and a concert at London’s landmark venue, the Barbican. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | | | |