Thank you to all who came out to see the Alif Ensemble at Ikon Gallery last week – it was a really special event with some incredible musicianship. Thanks also to all the performers, the Ikon Gallery staff and Khyam Allami for putting it all together.

Pictures below by Katja Ogrin

Simon Fox opened the show with a beautiful acoustic set

We’ve got two great shows in store for you next week, of a slightly different nature. Space rockers Bardo Pond perform at the Hare & Hounds on Wednesday 1st August and we’ve got a Supersonic Taster at Eastside Projects on Saturday 4th August, featuring King Midas Sound System, JK Flesh and a host of experimental musicians. Tickets for both shows are available via https://www.theticketsellers.co.uk

The Alif Ensemble have posted up this teaser in advance of their UK tour dates. One of the most exciting new projects to come from the Arab world, bringing together musicians from Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Egypt and Iraq for a beguiling blend of acoustic and contemporary electronic sounds. The ensemble will feature Capsule favourite Khyam Allami, who has blown Supersonic audiences away both solo and in collaboration with Master Musicians of Bukkake.

The Alif Ensemble will perform at Ikon Gallery, Birmingham on Thursday 19th July. Support comes from Simon Fox whose work ranges from traditional folk songs to more challenging sonic experiments.

Tickets are available via https://www.theticketsellers.co.uk/