El Tanbura - gig review

Egyptian group El Tanbura got their UK tour off to a great start at The Point in Cardiff Bay last night (Wednesday 21 February).

They're a group of sufis, philosophers, ship workers, dancers & musicians performing traditional folk songs from the Port Said region.

If that sounds a bit dry and dusty, think again - the emphasis was very much on entertainment, with members of the group keen to get the audience dancing.

Dressed in a mixture of traditional costumes and Western-style casual wear, El Tanbura showed great musical versatility and strutted across the stage in a style that would put the coolest rap crew to shame.

Here's where you can see El Tanbura in the coming weeks:

Thurs 22 Feb - Bristol - St George's

Sat 24 Feb - Oxford - Zodiac Club

Weds 28 Feb - Gateshead - The Sage

Thurs 1 March - York - Early Music Centre

Sun 4 March - London - Union Chapel

Tues 6 March - London - Kemia Bar/Momo

Weds 7 March - Bradford-on-Avon - Wiltshire Music Centre

See www.eltanbura.com for full details of the tour and their CD Between The Desert and The Sea.

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