The concert is sold out.
Mashrou’ Leila is a beautiful example of how ideologies can be evaded by the reality of life, and how this reflects in art. Much has been written about this Lebanese band’s emancipatory potential: they were on the cover of Rolling Stone, and have played at sold-out concerts all over the world. You almost get the impression that Mashrou’ Leila must be continuing the Arabellion on their own, but they don’t show it. They consist of five musicians who met at the American University in Beirut and, in nightly jam sessions, moulded their danceable style between Phoenix and Arcade Fire with Arabic influences and jazz elements. With beautiful bluntness Hamed Sinno sings about issues which move him and many other young people in Arabic countries: sexual freedom, religious freedom, political protests and the right to party and to be individual. Despite many obstacles, the band has continued developing further and has produced four albums. They will be on stage at the Enjoy Jazz’s opening concert, together with the New York based, Swedish-Turkish saxophonist, festival curator and label proprietor Ilhan Erşahin. The Mehmet Ungan Trio of the Oriental Music Academy Mannheim will be taking over the support.
