This series gets behind the music and performance to explore the connections between the music and cultural context of its performance. It also looks at the phenomenal growth of the music festival over the last decade and it’s emergence as an alternative art form.
The series is voiced by Andy Kershaw (a long term champion of world music) and consists of 13 ½ hour episodes.
Paris –
In this week’s episode, Destination Music heads to the romantic capital of the world – Paris, France, for the Planetes Musiques festival of ‘new traditional’ music. This event brings together a mix of artists from around the country, including Joan Francés Tisnèr showcasing his culinary music and the virtuoso performance of the Mandolin players Melonious Quartet.
New Zealand –
This week Destination Music is in Lord of the Rings territory, filming in New Zealand at the Rippon Music Festival. This one-day music event takes place on the slopes of a stunning vineyard overlooking the breathtaking Wanaka Lake. Tribalincs explain how their Samoan heritage and family have influenced their lyrics, Hollie Smith wows the crowds with her earthy vocals and speed-metal group Shihad give a true rock and roll performance, complete with stage dive!
Singapore –
This week Destination Music travels to Singapore for the Mosaic Music Festival. Performing at this Asian music event were a number of popular Singaporean groups. The sweetly named Tiramasu perform their own brand of raunchy rock and roll and Farid Ali – or Mr Gambus as he’s better known – performs on his famous Gambus or lute.
Capetown –
Destination Music is in the Rainbow Nation, South Africa, this week for the Cape Town Festival. Set against the backdrop of the monolithic Table Mountain, Cape Town provides a stunning backdrop for this festival of arts. Freshly Ground discuss their current chart success and Cape Town legend Robbie Jansen discusses performing during and after Apartheid.
Thailand –
Pattaya Beach in Thailand is this week’s location for Destination Music. For the last 5 years, the Grand Pattaya International Music Festival has attracted hundreds of thousands of people to see some of Thailand’s biggest stars perform. This year, traditional folk singer Nu Meter discusses his love of the flute and pop singer Touch Na Takuatoong discusses how western music has influenced his style.
Scotland –
Destination Music journeys north this week to Scotland for the Edinburgh International Harp Festival. For 25 years this event has been bringing harpists together in a celebration of this distinct instrument. Renowned group the Poozies and New York jazz harpist Park Stickney are amongst the performances.
Barbados -
Destination Music is chilling on the Caribbean island of Barbados this week, during the Holetown Festival. This week-long cultural extravaganza features some great local talent with jazz singer Rosemary Phillips and various steel bands.
Ireland -
County Donegal in Ireland is the setting for this week’s instalment of Destination Music. Every year, in the town of Letterkenny, the Pan Celtic International Festival takes place. Groups from the Celtic nations take part in pipe, choir and dance performances throughout the week.
Switzerland -
This week, Destination Music heads to the hills for the International Boogie Woogie Festival. Set in Switzerland, this piano festival takes place over one weekend and features some international pianists.
Louisiana
For this episode of Destination Music, we’re at the Festival International de Louisiana in the USA. This five day event in Lafayette celebrates cultural diversity and common experience. The festival features some local performers together with world music stars like Tinariwen.
Poland
Destination Music is in Zory Poland this week for the International Guitar Festival. Along with Polish and International artists, the festival hosts a guitar competition.
Memphis
Destination Music journeys to the home of the blues this week, Memphis Tennessee. As the hometown of none other than Elvis Presley, Memphis is steeped in musical history and the annual Beale Street Music Festival adds to this cultural heritage. Every big name in blues, from BB King to James Brown appear on the bill.
Romania
The Jazz Festival of Sibiu is the focus of this week’s episode of Destination Music. The quaint Romanian city of Sibiu is host to jazz performers from home and abroad.