The Anglo-Ethiopian Society
Music - Krar Collective UK Tour
From Sunday 30th September 2012 to Friday 12th October 2012
Krar Collective's Making Tracks UK tour coincides with both the September 2012 release of their debut album on World Music Network and the colourful Ethiopian New Year Enkutatash celebrations on 11 September. Soulful, seductive, vibrant and always engaging, Krar Collective are set to surprise and delight.
7:30pm, Sunday 30 September, The Sage Gateshead, St Mary's Square, Gateshead Quays, Gateshead NE8 2JR. Tickets £12.00 from The Sage Gateshead.
8:00pm, Tuesday 2 October, The Junction, Clifton Way, Cambridge CB1 7GX. Tickets £10.00 from The Junction.
7:30pm, Thursday 4 October, mac birmingham, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham B12 9QH. Tickets £12.00 from mac birmingham.
7:30pm, Friday 5 October, The National Centre for Early Music, St Margaret's Church, Walmgate, York YO1 9TL. Tickets £12.00 from The National Centre for Early Music.
8:00pm, Sunday 7 October, The Stables Theatre Ltd, Stockwell Lane, Wavendon, Milton Keynes MK17 8LU. Tickets £12.50 from The Stables.
8:00pm, Tuesday 9 October, the apex, Charter Square, Bury St Edmunds IP33 3FD. Tickets £12.50 from the apex.
8:00pm, Wednesday 10 October, Colston Hall, Colston Street, Bristol BS1 5AR. Tickets £12.00 from Colston Hall.
7:30pm, Thursday 11 October, Pontardawe Arts Centre, Herbert Street, Pontardawe SA8 4ED. Tickets £9.00 from Pontardawe Arts Centre.
8:00pm, Friday 12 October, Lighthouse, 21 Kingland Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1UG. Tickets £12.50 from Lighthouse.
Krar Collective perform a rootsy yet contemporary take on traditional music from Ethiopia based on other-worldy modes and driven by hypnotic rhythms. Led by krar virtuoso Temesgen Zeleke, a former star pupil of veteran Ethiopian legend Mulatu Astatke, fronted by the stunning, soaring voice of Genet Assefa and accompanied by innovative drummer Robel Taye, Krar Collective create a surprisingly big sound, leading one critic to name them 'The Ethiopian White Stripes'.
Drawing on the rhythms and traditions of their homeland's many ethnic groups, Krar Collective seamlessly interweave their roots with a contemporary attitude. The ancient 6-stringed krar lyre dates far back into Ethiopian history. An important part of the Ethiopian azmari minstrel tradition, the krar is steeped in the practice of wandering troubadours performing in bet cafes around the country, while legend has it that the instrument itself descends from King David’s lyre. Zeleke gives these traditions a contemporary twist and, in his hands, plugged in and strummed with hypnotic grooves, the krar becomes a gritty, ancient rock guitar.
The spellbinding rhythms of Taye' double-headed kebero drum provide the trio’s backbeat. Traditionally used to accompany the ancient religious celebrations of the Ethiopian Orthodox church, the kebero finds a new context in the energetic grooves of Krar Collective's performances; while the powerful, hazy vocals of songstress Genet Assefa weave their way through a varied repertoire of gentle ballads and high-energy dance tunes.
More information about the Krar Collective can be found on the Krar Collective myspace website.
The tour has been organized by Making Tracks.