AkashA a Hit at Rainforest World Music Festival

This review, by Ariel Chew, appeared on VirtualMalaysia.com.

Click HERE to see the actual site, with photos of the event!!

Akasha a Hit at Rainforest World Music Festival

The rain was starting to slow down and my newly-bought poncho and I made our way to the field where Stage 1 and Stage 2 were located. Palestinian/Algerian/Egyptian band Adel Salameh was just concluding their performance on Stage 2. There was a smattering few people on the very muddy and slushy field. Most of them were making their way gingerly around it barefoot.

But all that soon changed when the rain ceased dramatically and Akasha came on stage. Two of the percussionists started “playing” in acapella mode, mimicking the sounds of the traditional Indian drums perfectly. Like moths to a flame, the crowd drew nearer to the stage and cheered the band further. These four lads and one lady from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia then proceeded to make the kind of music that makes your heart pound sweetly and your feet moving on their own accord. Their music is a very pleasant blend of traditional and contemporary that resonated well with the audience who cheered them on enthusiastically. Their original tune ‘Brickfields Blues’ was truly groovy, it was the first time I heard blues being played on a sitar. It was followed by a funny, cutesy and danceable “Ants in My Turban”. Indeed Akasha left the Rainforest World Music Festival audience clamouring for more.

Greece band Ross Daly soon followed with their melancholy brand of music.

Over and out for now. I will be back with more updates!


By : Ariel Chew