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.
World Festival of Sacred Music, Fes, Morocco
In this week’s episode, Destination Music travels to Fes in Morocco to experience the ‘World Festival of Sacred Music’. Set against the backdrop of this ancient walled city, this internationally celebrated festival attracts some world music heavyweights. Iraqi-born singer Kadhem Al-Saher, whose sold over 30 million albums, discusses the origins of his music. In addition, Ravi Shankar, renowned the world over for bringing Indian music to a Western audience, performs with his daughter Anoushka and talks about his improvisational style.
World Tango Festival, Buenos Aires, Argentina
In this episode, Destination Music arrives in Buenos Aires to become immersed in the world of tango. Participants from 40 countries descend on Argentina’s lively capital for one of Tango’s most important cultural events, the World Tango Festival. 15 of the world’s most talented tango dancers come together with Argentina’s orchestras to produce 7 days of stunning performance. Destination Music also visits San Telmo, the Buenos Aires quarter where tango was born … and still lives.
The Festival of the Dhow countries (ZIFF), Zanzibar
Destination Music arrives in the old spice island of Zanzibar this week to experience the Festival of the Dhow countries. Bringing together artists from disparate backgrounds, ZIFF succeeds in mirroring the cultural diversity and integration inherent in this exotic African island. We catch up with Tanzanian Reggae artist Innocent Nganyagwa to find out about the roots of his music and his experience of the African music Industry. And Zanzibar’s own star, nonagenarian Bi Kidude, tells us about her contribution to the island’s unique Taarab music scene.
Greyfox Bluegrass Festival, NY
Destination Music travels to Ancramdale, America, this week to be initiated into the world of bluegrass. Set in the mountains of upstate New York, Greyfox Bluegrass Festival has been a firm fixture on the bluegrass music circuit for the last 29 years. Greyfox features some of the top bluegrass artists in America who mix blues, soul, country and even gospel to produce a truly distinctive sound. Sam Bush discusses the need to push the boundaries of the bluegrass sound and talented quintet Psychograss talk us through their jazz-like approach to performance.
Ballyshannon Festival, Ireland
This week Destination Music lands in the Emerald Isle for the Ballyshannon Festival. With its 28 year history, the annual event is Ireland’s oldest folk and traditional music festival. Each summer, the small town of Ballyshannon is over-run with musicians, folk music aficionados and those who are there simply to enjoy the craic! The Dave Munnelly Band give an incredibly energetic performance and internationally renowned group Altan discuss the roots of their unmistakeable sound. And when the scheduled performances end, we follow the crowds to the pubs, to witness some old style jamming ‘sessions’.
Cante de las Minas, La Union, Spain
In this week’s episode, Destination Music alights in Spain to meet one of the most important dates of the Flamenco calendar. For the last 45 years, the Cante de las Minas Festival has been transforming the sleepy backwater of La Union, on the Costa Blanca, into an annual showcase for Spain’s hottest Flamenco stars. Destination Music meets the self-professed Mick Jagger of Flamenco, Capullo de Jerez, and is captivated by the dulcet tones of singer Estrella Morente.
Saptak Festival, India
In this week’s episode, Destination Music travels to Ahmedabad in India to discover how well traditional Indian music is surviving in this era of globalisation. The 13-day Saptak Festival features instrumental and vocal Indian artists from all over the country. Students perform alongside renowned musicians in this event which aims to keep alive some of the fading traditional Indian music styles.
Polar Jazz, Longyearbyen, Norway
This week, Destination Music turns intrepid traveller to reach the most northern Jazz festival in the world. Polar Jazz takes place in the remote town of Longyearbyen, Norway, just a few hundred miles south of the North Pole. Christiansand Swing Ensemble and Froy Aagre & Offbeat bring their own style of swing and jazz, respectfully, to bring a bit of warmth to this corner of the world.
Tamworth Country Music Festival, New South Wales, Australia
Destination Music goes down under this week to check out the Tamworth Country Music Festival in New South Wales, Australia. As the gateway to the outback, Tamworth has evolved to become the capital of country music in Australia. Developing its own distinct identity and sound, antipodean country music has produced some major stars in recent years and Tamworth has always been the place to see them. This year, multi-award-winning singer Troy Cassar-Daley talks about the experiences which have influenced his music and internationally renowned star Kasey Chambers makes a guest appearance at the festival.
Festival on the Niger, Mali
Destination Music journeys to Mali this week for the Festival on the Niger. Set on the banks of the Niger, this outdoor event aims to make Mali’s second largest city the cultural centre of Mali. Only in its second year, the festival secured the prodigious talents of Malian acts including guitarist and singer Habib Koite and husband and wife duo Amdou and Mariam.
10th winter folk festival, Cheltenham, England
This week Destination Music is in the quintessentially English city of Cheltenham for the 10th winter folk festival. The festival featured both the old guard of English folk and the young thrusters; folk royalty Waterson:Carthy had the crowd in their hands and then relative newcomers BELLOWhead had them up dancing.
Festival Internacional Cervantino, Guanajuato Mexico
Destination Music is in the Mexican city of Guanajuato for the Festival Internacional Cervantino. This is now firmly established as one of Mexico’s most important arts events, featuring both native and international performers. The saxophonist Tolande Pacheco, 92, and her female friends from the Mexican group Las Maya Internacional, are just some of the artists enjoying the festival this year.
Nanning International Folk Song Arts Festival, China
In this week’s instalment, Destination Music is in the People's Republic of China for the Nanning International Folk Song Arts Festival. This region of southwest China is often referred to as the sea of songs because of its heritage of ethnic folk music. Local singer Jiecheng Lin explains how important the regional shan songs are to express his own emotions and Kiwi group Te Waka Huia cause a stir with their performance of the haka!
Planetes Musiques Festival, Paris France
Destination Music heads to the romantic capital of the world, Paris in France for the Planetes Musiques festival of ‘new traditional’ music. The event brings together a selection of artists from around the country, including Joan Francés Tisnèr who is showcasing his unique ‘culinary’ music, plus a performance on the mandolin from the Melonious Quartet.
TX 07/04/06
Rippon Music Festival, Wanaka Lake, New Zealand
This week Destination Music heads to New Zealand. The programme visits the Rippon Music Festival, a one-day music event that 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 crowd with her earthy vocals; and speed-metal group Shihad give a true rock and roll performance.
TX 14/04/06