South Asian Sounds Take Over Bristol with Sitar, Bhangra, and Beats!

Bristol is getting ready to host the New Sounds Festival, a lively event that celebrates South Asian music and culture. The festival first took place at the Arnolfini arts centre in 2023 and was a big hit, drawing crowds who enjoyed sitting together in the dark, watching talented performers on stage. This year, the festival is set to be even bigger, with a renowned sitar player and an all-female Bhangra group headlining the event. The festival will span two weekends and feature a mix of live performances and DJ sets, all designed to showcase the best emerging and established talent from the British South Asian music scene.

The New Sounds Festival is organized by the Asian Arts Agency, a Bristol-based charity that has been supporting and promoting South Asian music and arts since 2006. Their mission is to bring both contemporary and traditional styles to a wider audience, helping artists grow and reach new heights. One of the main venues for the festival is St George's concert hall, which will host two special performances from artists described as 'captivating' and 'genre-breaking. ' Roopa Panesar, a highly respected sitar player, will present her 'ATMA project,' following her recent appearances at London's Queen Elizabeth Hall and Diwali celebrations in Leicester. Later in the evening, Sarathy Korwar, a talented drummer, producer, and composer, will hold a special launch show for his new album, which features live drums, electronic sounds triggered by drums, and human voices.

Jaswinder Singh, the director of the Asian Arts Agency, expressed his excitement about the festival, saying it is inspiring to see how the artists have developed their creative journeys. Many of them started with the agency's talent development programs and now perform nationally and internationally. The festival will also include events at Bristol Beacon, where the history of Bhangra culture will be celebrated. Attendees can enjoy performances from RSVP, the city's longest-running Bhangra band, and take part in workshops that focus on 'partying Punjabi style. ' The New Sounds Festival is a wonderful opportunity for people to experience the rich diversity of South Asian music, learn new skills, and come together to celebrate culture and creativity.