Khaled

Algerian-born singer-songwriter Khaled - a huge star across European, Arabic and Asian countries and even more popular than Michael Jackson in India - is to perform at Philharmonic Hall as a flagship event of Liverpool Arabic Arts Festival 2008.

Known as ‘The King of Raï’, Khaled is a phenomenon in the Arab world, with a popularity that has reached almost surreal proportions. In France, he is both a nationwide celebrity and the voice of the country’s Arab minority. This concert at the Phil will be his first UK performance in several years.

The word ‘Raï’ means ‘opinion’ in Arabic. Raï developed in western Algeria’s port city of Oran as early as the 1920s, with its origins in a mixture of Arabic love poetry and Bedouin folk song sung by women. Influences of French, Spanish and Moroccan music developed the sound, and in the 1950s and 60s the introduction of new instrumentation including trumpet, violin and the modern oud style, along with jazz influences, brought the distinctive call and response to the sound.

The contemporary Raï of which Khaled is King has mixed this with western music and technology to create a whole new musical movement: all of the tradition is retained but the urgent percussion of the darabuka hand-drum overlays kit and electronic beats to create compulsive rhythms. The new male stars of this music styled themselves “Cheb” meaning “young man” to emphasise the break they were making from the old guard (who were styled “Cheikh”, meaning master.) Thus, born in 1960 in Oran as Hadj-Brahim Khaled, his career began as Cheb Khaled, and in his provocative repertoire the singer has presented his opinions on life, the universe and everything. In the 70s and 80s, Raï became the voice for Algerian youth rebellion, just as rock ‘n’ roll was in 50s and 60s Britain.

Now known simply as Khaled, his songs have become anthems for women’s liberation and religious and cultural tolerance. He moved to France in the 1980s and became the first Algerian to sign to a Major French record label. His record sales figures rate comparison with other major artists performing in Liverpool in 2008 – in 1992 his monster hit single Didi sold well over a million copies in Europe alone, an estimated 7 million worldwide, and he scored an even bigger hit with his love song Aicha in 1996.

Khaled was the principal vocalist for Jean-Michel Jarre’s 14th July concert at the Arche de Triomphe in Paris in 1995 attended by 1.5 million people and beamed around the world. In 1998 he assembled the ‘Raï’ equivalent of the Three Tenors with Faudel and Rachid Taha, for a unique performance at the 17,000 capacity Palais omnisports de Paris-Bercy. The resulting album 1,2,3 Soleils (1,2,3 Suns) has sold more than 2 million in France alone. He has worked with producers including Don Was, Michael Brook and Steve Hillage, and his most recent release (in the US) sees a guest appearance by guitarist Carlos Santana.

Liverpool Arabic Arts Festival brings a lively mixture of cultural activities ranging from dance, music, art, film and family events to food, from countries throughout the Arab world and from Britain to venues across Liverpool for two weeks in July, starting with the ever-popular Family Day at Sefton Park. Last year’s festival saw a milestone concert from Lebanese oud virtuoso and composer Marcel Khalife with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, at Philharmonic Hall.

Venue

Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool

Dates

Concert Date 12 Jul 2008

Tickets Information

Road Directions

If you are coming to Liverpool on the M62, finding the Philharmonic Hall is straightforward. Continue along the motorway until its end and then follow the signs for the city centre, cathedrals and universities (about 3 miles). Turn left at the Metropolitan Cathedral and head past the Everyman Theatre along Hope Street.

If lost, use this maxim: find one cathedral, head for the other. The Phil is halfway between the two.

Public Transport Directions

Philharmonic Hall is situated on Hope Street, approximately 10 minutes’ walk from the city centre. The main entrance is situated on Hope Street at the junction where Hardman Street meets Hope Street opposite the Philharmonic Public House. It is close to Central Station, Lime Street Station, Myrtle Street bus stops and several car parks.