This was one of our most challenging but joyous ventures: five shows featuring 50 Syrian artists divided by conflict and joined by guests from Africa, Europe and the US. The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians – featuring current and former members of the Syrian National Orchestra for Arabic Music – spent five days rehearsing for a show in Amsterdam before going on to open Glastonbury and Roskilde festivals, play before 4,000 people in Istanbul and perform a special show in London’s Royal Festival Hall broadcast worldwide on YouTube. The 30 musicians and 20-strong choir came from Syria and across Europe. They were joined by guests including Bashy, Bassekou Kouyate, Bu Kolthoum, Damon Albarn, Eslam Jawaad, Faia Younan, Julia Holter, Kano, MC Malikah, Mounir Troudi, Noura Mint Seymali, Paul Weller, Rachid Taha and Sekou Keita. ‘It’s a wonderful opportunity to show the world another side to the Syrian story,’ said conductor Issam Rafea beforehand. It proved to be all that and more over the course of 12 days and five mesmerising concerts. Thanks to 14-18 Now and Holland Festival for their support. The album is out now via Transgressive Music and was made possible by Google Play Music. Find out more about the process behind the record here .
You can purchase the live album on all digital platforms, or on CD here.
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Setlist
| Song | Artist |
| Intro | Choir |
| 3AZELY | Choir and The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians |
| BAYAT SAMAEI | The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians |
| OUT OF TIME | The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians with Damon Albarn (Guitar) and Bassekou Kouyaté (N’goni) |
| RAKEB 3AL HAMRA | The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians with Mounir Troudi (vocals) |
| FEEL YOU | The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians with Julia Holter (keys + vocals), Seckou Keita (Kora) and Choir |
| VASLINVIK | The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians with Noura Mint Seymali (vocals), Malikah (MC) and Seckou Keita (Kora) |
| AL AJAHLEH | The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians with Bassekou Kouyaté (N’goni) and Seckou Keita (Kora) |
| BADAT | Choir and The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians |
| BLACKBIRD | The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians with Damon Albarn (Guitar) and Choir (Paul Weller joined at London Royal Festival Hall) |
| OLD DAMASCUS | The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians |
| ZAYENO EL MARIE | The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians with Faia Younan (Vocals) |
| RICHA | The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians with Noura Mint Seymali (vocals) |
| WHITE FLAG | The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians with Eslam Jawad (MC), Malikah (MC) and Bu Kolthoum (MC) * |
| YA RAYEH | The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians with Rachid Taha and Choir |
| OGHNEYAT MEN BALADI | The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians and Choir |
| Extra songs performed | |
| WILD WOOD | The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians with Paul Weller and Seckou Keita – London’s Royal Festival Hall |
| MADAH | The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians with Bu Kolthoum (MC), Mounir Troudi (vocals) and Choir – London’s Royal Festival Hall |
| MHNAM | The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians and Choir – Holland Festival |
| * WHITE FLAG | The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians with Kano (MC), Bashy (MC) and Malikah (MC) – Glastonbury’s Park Stage |
Header photo by Ayman Oghanna