Songlines Encounters Festival 2022
Songlines Encounters Festival 2022
Feb 17-May 25, Kings Place, London
After a cancelled year in 2020 and the involvement of only UK-based groups in 2021, the Songlines Encounters Festival returns in full force this May, presenting some of the finest musicians from around the world. Tying in with Kings Place’s Voices Unwrapped series, this year’s Songlines Encounters Festival will feature some of the finest global proponents of the vocal arts, with appearances from, among others, Julie Fowlis, Liraz, San Salvador and the London African Gospel Choir.
Festival Lineup
Yorkston/Thorne/Khan (photo: Jon Pountney)
Wednesday May 18
Yorkston/Thorne/Khan
(Hall One)
James Yorkston (voice and guitar), Jon Thorne (double bass) and Suhail Yusuf Khan (voice and sarangi) explore Navarasa, the nine emotions of the subcontinent. Expect a range of contrasting moods where the worlds of Robert Burns and Amir Khusrau unite.
More information: kingsplace.co.uk
Brighde Chaimbeul & Aidan O'Rourke (photo: Andy Catlin)
Thursday May 19
Brìghde Chaimbeul & Aidan O’Rourke feat Julie Fowlis
(Hall One)
Award-winning star of the small pipes, Chaimbeul, and violinist O’Rourke of experimental folk trio Lau are joined by special guest Julie Fowlis, who will interweave her Gaelic vocals into the pair’s rich textural drone hypnosis.
More information: kingsplace.co.uk
Liraz (photo: Ronen Fadida)
Thursday May 19
Liraz
(Hall Two)
Coming from an Israeli-Iranian family, Liraz, who won the Best Artist gong in the Songlines Music Awards 2021, sings her homage to Iranian women. She’s a dynamic figure on stage and her album, Zan (Women), sung in Farsi, is full of urgency and passion.
More information: kingsplace.co.uk
San Salvador (photo: Kristof Guez)
Friday May 20
San Salvador
(Hall One) London premiere
This vocal sextet from France’s Massif Central sing in Occitan, but you don’t need to understand the language to enjoy their heart-warming polyphonic harmonies and propulsive percussion. Their most recent album, La Grande Folie, was one of our picks of 2021.
More information: kingsplace.co.uk
Marja Mortensson (photo: Jarle Hagen)
Friday May 20
Marja Mortensson & Daniel Herskedal
(Hall Two) London premiere
Norwegian Sámi singer Marja Mortensson’s otherworldly voice is an instrument of extraordinary power. She sings in the South Sámi language and joiks in wordless syllables as she celebrates the ancestral tradition of reindeer-herding. The concert is preceded by a Q&A with Simon Broughton.
More information: kingsplace.co.uk
Hailu Mergia (photo: Ian G. C. White)
Saturday May 21
Hailu Mergia
(Hall One)
Accordion and keyboard player Hailu Mergia is a treasured veteran of Ethiopian music who came to fame after Awesome Tapes from Africa released his recordings from the 1970s and 80s. The success of these relaunched his career as a dynamic figure in Ethio-jazz.
More information: kingsplace.co.uk
VOLOSI (photo: Dominika Szczech)
Saturday May 21
VOLOSI
(Hall Two) London premiere
String band VOLOSI are one of the undiscovered treasures of Poland. Combining two classical and three folk musicians from the south of the country they create a thrilling sound with a dramatic stage presence. A truly compelling group.
VOLOSI will also perform at the Norwich Arts Centre (May 18) and York’s National Centre for Early Music (May 23)
More information: kingsplace.co.uk
Sunday May 22
Fly Bird, Fly: The Hungarian Dance House Story
(St Pancras Room)
This hour-long documentary is presented and directed by Songlines editor-in-chief Simon Broughton. The film tells the story of the folk revival in Hungary, and shows how the group Muzsikás helped bring down the old regime.
Muzsikas
Sunday May 22
Muzsikás
(Hall One)
Hungary’s most revered folk band return to the UK with young Transylvanian singer and talent-show winner Kacsó Hanga and dancer Berecz István. Bank on songs of extraordinary beauty and dances of earthy power.
More information: kingsplace.co.uk
Maya Youssef
Sunday May 22
Maya Youssef
(Hall Two)
Syrian-born Maya Youssef is one of few female players of the qanun (78-stringed zither). Her latest album, Finding Home, is a journey through memories, exploring the essence of belonging, both within and without. An emotional, transformative, night awaits.
More information: kingsplace.co.uk
London African Gospel Choir (photo: David L Hone)
Wednesday May 25
London African Gospel Choir
(Hall One)
This incredible ensemble features UK-based artists from across Africa and the diaspora. With an extensive repertoire, they’ve previously performed with Emeli Sandé, Tom Jones and the Soweto Gospel Choir, and collaborated with Idris Elba on a tribute to Nelson Mandela.
More information: kingsplace.co.uk
For tickets, visit www.kingsplace.co.uk or call the box office: +44 (0)20 7520 1490
