Age limit 18 years
Doors open: 19:00
There's something hypnotic about Arooj Aftab's voice. It's warm and resonant, with a hint of melancholy, and most notably, it has a unique calmness that draws you into the songs. Therefore, it's not surprising that vocalist, composer, and producer Aftab has become a star worldwide with her accessible blend of electronic minimalism, South Asian folk tunes, and jazz. With the song Mohabbat, she became the first Pakistani artist ever to win a Grammy award.
Her undeniable jazz qualities were well highlighted on last year's critically acclaimed album Love In Exile, released in trio format alongside Vijay Iyer and Shahzad Ismaily. A dreamlike and meditative journey, where Aftab's voice truly shines. The trio recorded the material live in the studio and dubbed it "improvised innovation" themselves. The album ranked high on lists of 2023's best releases in influential publications such as The New York Times, Pitchfork, and Rolling Stone.
Later this summer she will release a new album titled Night Reign. “The night,” Aftab confesses, “is my biggest source of inspiration.” By trial or intuition, she’s come to understand that these still moments of cover uniquely enable healing, desire, shelter, love—each essential elements of life and living, of intimate relation to one another. Perhaps because its darkness loosens inhibitions or invites new ways of being, enticing all to leave the day as honestly as they entered it, night welcomes play and searching. So too does Aftab’s voice, its reach and intensity complimenting the sun’s departure.
Arooj Aftab – vocal
Gyan Riley – guitar
Petros Klampanis – bass
Engin Kaan Gunaydin - percussion
Photo: Arooj Aftab by Shreya Dev Dube
