Last chance to get your hands on tickets for Songlines 2018 Best International Artist nominee Maya Youssef at St George's Bristol

Last chance to get your hands on tickets for Songlines 2018 Best International Artist nominee Maya Youssef at St George's Bristol

Posted on: 08 Oct 2018

Syrian-born musician Maya Youssef is halfway through her 2018 tour, but two of the most important dates of the year for her are yet to come: on Saturday 20th October Youssef will perform live at Electric Brixton as she hopes to scoop the 2018 Best International Artist title at this year's Songlines Awards, but before all that she's set to bring her unforgettable live show to St George's Bristol tomorrow night. The last few tickets for the show are still up for grabs - book yours now via the link below. In the meantime, read on for a full interview with Maya Youssef!

 

***GET TICKETS HERE***

Maya Youssef will perform live in Bristol on Tuesday 9th October.

You are over halfway through the Autumn Tour for the album Syrian Dreams. How have the dates gone so far? 

"The first part of the tour was just amazing ..standing ovations throughout so I can't be happier." 

 

After your first performance of many of the songs (that formed the album Syrian Dreams) at Womad last year, many people commented how they were deeply moved by the music. What were your feelings after the show?

"I loved that day. It was both terrifying and so special. In the morning of the concert I recorded the BBC 4 Sound of Syria talk about my journey at the Tent of words in front of a live audience in Womad. During this talk I allowed my self to cry in front of an audience while playing my qanun (which got wet) . This was a huge opening for me because I used to allow my self to be vulnerable in my music but not through talking about my feelings so openly. I felt both relieved and exposed but I was met by a beautiful reaction from the audience. In the afternoon when I performed I felt so much lighter and connected deeper. this resulted in a beautiful heart to heart dance between me and the audience and this became an unforgettable day."

 

You've been performing as a trio with percussion and cello. Are you finding new ideas working together?

"The music is gaining more and more power as we go.. For instance, we were sound checking Hi-Jazz (a piece for qanun and percussion) and Barney (the cellist) joined in. I loved it so much and we did it as a trio that very night. I am loving those moments of play where myself and musicians are surprising each other."

 

Do you have any plans for any more projects and recordings in the coming months?

"So much is happening. I am writing album number 2, launching an online academy to empower female spiritual musicians to find success in their music career and touring 'The Seven Gates of Damascus' my musical theatre piece for refugee children."

 

Congratulations on your nomination for Best Artist at Songlines Music Awards. You are also playing live. Have you narrowed down which tracks you might play that night?

"Thank you! It is very exciting! I will be playing Bombs turn into Roses and Queen of the Night."

 

The last remaining tickets for Maya Youssef live at St George's Bristol are still available and can be found here. For more information or to see what else is coming up at St George's Bristol, visit their website or check out their Facebook page


Article by:

Matt Robson

 

Editor - 365Bristol.com & LOUD Magazine
 

Matt is a Journalism graduate and writer, passionate about supporting Bristol music, art and independent business. Get in touch via email at matt@365bristol.com.