Went to a benefit for Palestine last night at a big club (1000 cap) downtown montreal. It was packed out and general good vibes abounded. Was sorta industry people coming together, half the acts were trash to me, but the variety show format (each of the 15 ish acts played 2 songs) made it quite enjoyable. Highlights were Radwan ghazi moumneh on the Buzuq, la securite, Myriam Gendron, Nada El Shazly accompanied by Enma Maaref on Oud and poet Elissa Kayal.
Radwan played 3 times, solo, behind a poet who's name I cannot remember and with Nada for a song. Hearing him play with less effects then I remember in a large room with good sound was very entrancing and cool.
La Securite, a local band that is divisive but popular was cool, at least in that small dose. They sound like Snooper mixed with Le tigre. Sort of punky electro clash with the edges smoothed out and a sped up up manic joy to it.
Myriam Gendron played 2 solemn songs to a room that didn't know how to shut up at first but when she belted the second tune and played some insane finger picked melodic extended guitar passage that did the trick. Truly moving music.
Nada El Shazly and Enma Mareef were also moving. Incredible playing, incredible voice and no dancy interventions (the other time I saw her was solo with beats). This took the cake, transported me.
Elissa Kayal did a long winded and intense rhythmic poetry performance in french over a sort of techno beat that paused for inflection when she did. It was captivating, like a rave ready Patti Smith sorta thing. Probably a dull comparison, but I'm a novice.
