Fete de la Musique festival rocks region
Culture: The annual festival sees shows in cities around the world, with performances from regional and international bands.
2 min read
The festival is celebrated across five continents [AFP]
More than 80 bands performed for free in Beirut on the summer solstice to celebrate the 15th Fete de la Musique (Make Music Day).
The open air festival was created by Jack Lang, former French Minister of Culture, and launched on 21 June 1982 in Paris. It is now celebrated in more than 100 countries across five continents.
Over the past 15 years, the event has been organised by Lebanon's French Institute, and it was named best music festival by Time Out Beirut.
The festival had previously been criticised for mainly including non-Arab bands. This year a wide array of local, regional and international bands performed, to the crowds' delight. Arabic-language groups included Tanjaret Daghet, Fareeq Al Atrash, Aziza and Nachaz.
The open air festival was created by Jack Lang, former French Minister of Culture, and launched on 21 June 1982 in Paris. It is now celebrated in more than 100 countries across five continents.
Over the past 15 years, the event has been organised by Lebanon's French Institute, and it was named best music festival by Time Out Beirut.
The festival had previously been criticised for mainly including non-Arab bands. This year a wide array of local, regional and international bands performed, to the crowds' delight. Arabic-language groups included Tanjaret Daghet, Fareeq Al Atrash, Aziza and Nachaz.
Beiruti reggae band Rabih and the Playmates performed in Beirut's Zaitunay Bay.
Before the show, singer and guitarist Rabih Aouad said: "This is the first year we'll be playing at the festival. We're excited and hope it'll be great."
Rabih and the Playmates are one of the first reggae bands in the Middle East that sing in both Arabic and English.
The group recently released an "organic album", a hand-made card created from eco-friendly materials, with a password for a digital download.
"I've been listening to reggae since I was young," said the 41-year-old. "It belongs to communities around the world going through struggle. My music is positive and touches on social issues."
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