Category: Asian Network
Date: 06.09.2006
Printable version
Birmingham hosts a celebration of the world's top bhangra talent at the free Bhangrafest on Friday 8 September.
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Bhangrafest '06 - in Eastside Green, next to Millennium Point, Birmingham - brings together the scene's leading players on two large dome stages hosted by 91Èȱ¬ Asian Network presenters Sonia Deol and Bobby Friction.
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The city has played host to the enormous international growth of this rich and exciting musical genre with many of bhangra's leading artists and record companies based there.
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Confirmed artists include:
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Alaap - The veteran act initiated the bhangra movement as we know it, and have been legends for more than 20 years with a huge following in the Indian subcontinent.
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Achanak - These seasoned players have recently seen their music immortalised in the Xbox 360's Project Gotham City 3 interactive game. They also became the first bhangra band to have their material licensed in China and Hong Kong.
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Apna Group - Like Alaap, this Birmingham-based band have been performing for more than 20 years. Known for their more traditional performances, Apna have carved out a niche in this market.
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Dalvinder Singh - Represents the new breed of bhangra bands. The band includes two brothers who have come from a musical background: their father was a major force in the bhangra industry in the Seventies and Eighties.
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If you can't make the event in person you can listen to all the acts on the Asian Network on digital radio, digital TV or online at bbc.co.uk/asiannetwork.
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Notes to Editors
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Bhangrafest '06 is organised by Bhangra in Birmingham Ltd in association with the 91Èȱ¬ Asian Network.
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