A new concept for 2012, World Music Shanghai is presenting a tour of live music. Each of the nine groups will perform in all four locations, enabling their music to emanate to every corner of the city. The organizers have carefully selected venues in four very different areas, welcoming a full spectrum of Shanghai’s residents and visitors. The first stop on the tour is Red Town, west Shanghai’s creative zone and center of international culture, which is set to attract members from within the city’s creative industries; next is Xintiandi, Shanghai’s fashionable retail hub, which will draw international tourists and local shoppers alike. Moving across the river to Pudong, the stage at Jinqiao’s Life Hub will welcome the residential area’s international and local communities. Last but not least, performances at Life Hub @Anting, in Anting New Town, will serve as a cultural bridge, bringing top world music out to Shanghai’s so-called ‘Auto Town’.
In-keeping with the festival’s theme ‘Irreplaceable Beauty of Live Music’, World Music Shanghai 2012 will promote the importance of live music in today’s international music scene. The members of this year’s nine groups are all live performers, each with abundant experience and diverse cultural backgrounds. Audiences have no need to learn the details of each ensemble beforehand, however; the infectious energy of the bands’ live performances is the real charm of World Music Festival. These world-class musicians, far from diva-like pop or classics stars, come from the ordinary families and will share honest, authentic live music across Shanghai.
World Music Shanghai 2012 has a very special line-up of bands, offering an array of rich music genres.

Rhythms of Rajasthan, as the representative of traditional Indian Arts, will break the stiff image of Bollywood dance performance by introducing percussion and elements of mystical Indian Snake Charms. Ziveli Orkestra, representing France, are masters of the Balkan symphonic tradition and will bring the hottest Gypsy street music to Shanghai. Performing also is Yemen Blues from Israel, a band that has rocketed to popularity in the music industry in the past year. Their energetic cross-cultural music not only brings people to the dance floor, but has also been known to leave audiences weeping with emotion. Joining the festival from Pakistan, Asfi Ali Khan & Party will perform traditional ‘Qawwali’ music. Their core member, Asif Ali Khan, who was once hailed by Pakistan’s Qawwali maestro as one of his best students, has emerged as the music’s reigning prince, set to take Shanghai by storm. Tiloun from Reunion Island will perform their African-style blues, while Windbone from Switzerland will inject new life into a traditional European instrument, the long alphorn, by using it to play modern Jazz. In addition, this year the host invites the Soul of Dolan to return for another year’s display of traditional Mongolian instruments: the qalun dulcimer, the Dolan rawap (a plucked instrument) and the Dolan ghijak (a vertically-held fiddle). This group was highly popular in the World Music Shanghai 2008. Yet another group, a band of young artists and hobbyists with deep appreciation for Flamenco, founded a professional ensemble called Camino Flamenco, whose members are from China and Spain. Through dance and music they will express their sheer enthusiasm for Flamenco. This year’s highest profile group, Haya, will perform their modern take on Mongolian traditional music combined with pop music. The band draw on a range of traditional instruments, namely the Mongolian morin khurr, the tanboer, khoomei & shaman drums, injecting into them a fresh new energy for international audiences.

This duo’s chosen instruments, the traditional Swiss long alphorn and the sea-snail, give a unique twist to their variety of jazz. Windbone blend sounds from across multiple genres; from electric to African, from classical to free style jazz, and in doing so they breathe fresh new energy into Europe’s traditional rural instruments.
Windbone have created quite a stir in their home country; the Swiss press has hailed them as true jazz masters, successfully bridging the gap between classical and modern.

The unique environment of China’s far western province has bestowed on the Dolan people a distinctive culture, which is reflected in the sound of this very special band. The ensemble creates a trance-like atmosphere with the use of traditional instruments and a chorus of their own enrapturing voices.
Audiences will be drawn in as the musicians beat hand drums, and perform the traditional qalun dulcimer, the Dolan rawap (a plucked instrument) and the Dolan ghijak (a vertically-held fiddle). It’s a unique, passionate folk music – not to be missed.

The band draw on a range of traditional instruments, namely the Mongolian morin khurr, the tanboer, khoomei & shaman drums, injecting into them a fresh new energy for international audiences.
The band shares a unified and honest voice, direct from their hearts. For them, this defines HAYA’s music, “music for the world.”
To date, Haya has already enjoyed great success across Asia. In 2009, the first HAYA album “WOLF TOTEM” won the Best Crossover Award in the 19th Asia Golden Melody Awards in Taiwan. A year later, the second HAYA album “THE SILENT SKY” won the 10th Chinese Media Music Award 2010. “THE SILENT SKY” also went on to win the Best World Music Award in the Chinese Golden Melody Awards.

Through their music, Camino wish to promote Flamenco culture in this old Chinese land and to share it with those who may not have the opportunity to practice Flamenco themselves. For this year’s World Music Shanghai 2012, Camino has invited Spain’s top Flamenco dancers and singers to participate and present to Shanghai the true spirit of Flamenco.

Tiloun was initiated into music from childhood (dancing, playing drums, singing – it is in his blood!). However, he only began to explore Maloya and its philosophy as an adult. Local riots of 1991 triggered in him the need to express himself, and singing gave him that voice. Through his songs, Tiloun recounts the rich history of Reunion, an island diverse in culture. His fragile yet striking voice stays true to the uncluttered and harmonious sounds of Maloya.
Since the 2011 release of his second full-length album, “Kas in poz”, Tiloun has played live in numerous venues, and is now also gracing the stage of the World Music Festival in China.

If Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was known locally as ‘The Emperor of Qaawali’, Asif Ali Khan, who was once hailed by the maestro as one of his best students, has surely emerged as the music’s reigning prince. Since Nusrat’s death in 1997, Asif has participated in tribute concerts and recordings dedicated to the memory of his teacher, but has also developed a style and presence all of his own. His music can be meditative and trance-inducing, before, at a turn, becoming thrilling and ecstatic. To hear his voice soaring above the call-and-response choruses, rhythmic hand claps, percussion and harmonium of his accompanying musicians is an inspiring experience, whether you’re an adherent of the Sufi faith or not.
Remaining faithful to the sublime traditions of the devotional Sufi music known as qawwali, Asif is hugely popular in his homeland of Pakistan and a powerful figure on the international stage.

The band’s set and stage design transport audiences to a small village square in Serbia, where trumpet compositions give way to the violin. Traditional dance delight onlookers as the sublime voice of Suzana Djordjevic resonates with a power to tame even the wildest bear – a visual and audio delight!
Performing at this year’s World Music Shanghai 2012 festival, their first show is the culmination of a journey of three years, midway between stage and street.

They brings to international audiences the sounds of their country’s hereditary professional musicians, whose music has been supported by wealthy landlords and aristocrats for generations. Both the Langas and Manganiyars communities comprise of Muslim musicians, but many of their songs are in praise of Hindu deities and celebrate Hindu festivals, such as Diwali and Holi.
With this lively and inclusive offering, the group has proven popular around the world. They have performed in various venues across many countries, including Superbowl Live in Hollywood and the Kennedy Centre.

Yemen Blues is more than just music though; it’s a deep invocation. Kalahani sings of his love for the African desert, about the unity of language and experience, and of gratitude for life’s gifts.
The band has performed at some of the biggest and most prestigious festivals around Europe and Northern America. Yemen Blues’ concerts are a real treat, not least because of their musical variation and the energy – almost magic – that takes place on the stage. Audiences around the world love the unique mixture of African grooves and Yemeni song – a mixture of innovative sound and a strong message. Expect the unexpected!