Zabbar Music Festival

The 1st edition of the Zabbar Music Festival

Over the past four months several large scale activities have been held by the Zabbar Local Council with the help of local clubs and organisations such as the Health fest, the Malta International Food Festival and the world-record activity Dine along the World’s longest table. It is therefore hight time to have the first edition of the Zabbar Music Festival.

The Zabbar Music Festival will host some of Malta’s best groups, musicians and artist who will perform at three big open  air concerts, , staged on two nights - Friday 30th and Saturday 31st August, along Labour Road in Zabbar (the main road leading to the Zabbar centre). This great music event will be free of charge but the public is more than welcome to donate for Puttinu Cares to help children suffering from cancen on both days. Donate and enjoy the first event of this style and scale in Zabbar!

Day 1

On Friday 30th August The Zabbar Music Festival will see the return of the show The Wall which in a nutshell is a tribute to a dramatic side of the iconic Pink Floyd’s album.

Following in the footsteps of their previous albums, The Wall is a concept album — specifically, it deals largely with the theme of isolation from one’s peers. The concept was largely inspired by the band’s 1977 tour promoting the album Animals, with regards to an incident where Roger Waters’ frustration with the audience reached a point where Waters spat in the face of a fan who was attempting to climb on stage; this, in turn, led him to lament that such a wall exists. With its significantly darker theme, The Wall featured a notably harsher and more theatrical sound than
their previous releases.

Malta’s tribute version of The Wall, is set-up by the Malta Rock Movement (MRM). The idea of replicating Pink Floyd’s masterpiece concept album The Wall came around about a year ago when MRM (all fellow musicians) decided to put together a ‘superband’ to pay tribute to this classic album – complete with guest star performances. The project got rolling and debuted at the Greek Theatre during Earth Garden 2013 and was a huge success. So all those who missed the show or would like to re-experience it, now have another chance, and it is free.

Over 45 musicians - carefully chosen to pay tribute to Pink Floyd’s style of performance and musical ability - will take part in this show, which will not only bring great live music to the table, but it will also feature a tribute to the dramatic side of this iconic album.

The Core Band consist of a number of Malta’s top musicians like Mark Attard (Fakawi) on keyboards and Raphael Tonna (Red Electrick) on drums – the latter also taking on musical direction alongside Peter and Wayne, and Pawlu Borg Bonaci who is the artistic director. Other band members include Antoine Tonna, Daniel Cauchi (Big Band Brothers), Jeremy Micallef (Stoned / Muzzle) and an all star/all female backing vocals team including Olivia Lewis, Talitha, Rachel Tedesco Triccas, Cheryl Camilleri and Annemarie Mayo. Amongst the guest singers and musicians there will be also David Cassar Torregiani (Scar), Matthew James Borg (REK), Pawlu Borg Bonaci (Fakawi), Chris Curmi (Airport Impressions), Chris Grech (26 Other Worlds), Triccas, Klinsmann, Darryl Ebejer (12th Ode), Brooke Borg, Jodi and Ian (Mojo) amongst many others , as well as the participation of the La Voix Choir led by Gillian Attard. Oviously Peter, Wayne and Gianni will all feature at one point !

Detail to visual and lighting was always a must in the Pink Floyd world, so attendees can expect a haven of visual entertainment, psychedelic and exceptional music.

Day 2

On Saturday 31st August the Zabbar Music Festival continues with a a one hour gig from Malta’s rock-chick and top selling artist Ira Losco and her band featuring most of her number one hits and songs from her recently released fifth album The Fire – the first ever album (local or international to retain the top spot for 8 consecutive weeks).

The third and final act of the Festival will then see a a two hour gig from one of Malta’s most popular bands Tribali (their last for this summer)who will bring with them their simple yet much followed concept of positive vibes while keeping life as simple as can be and sharing their music with friends and family. Fresh from their award of Best Album of 2012 The Traveller, Tribali continue to attract the crowds with their celebration of love of world music, through ethnic rhythms and sounds from the orient.

Whilst placing great emphasis on ethnic rhythms, Tribali incorporate the beauty and pathos of music from the orient. The eclectic musical influences of the band include amongst others, world music, reggae, pop, rock, classical and jazz of which they channel into their unique sound.

Their diverse use of instruments embraces percussion, didgeridoo and sitar to name a few, whilst the accompanying vocals complete the whole sonic vibe. A powerful stage presence is further energized by their use of visuals, thus dramatically stimulating the audience.

All performances start at around 20:30. Entrance for all events is free of charge though attendees are encouraged to donate to Puttinu Cares to help children suffering from cancer. Several bars and food stalls will be also set-up along Labour Road.