LIFEM: London International Festival of Exploratory Music

03 – 07 November 2010

Building on last year’s inaugural festival, the London International Festival of Exploratory Music (LIFEM) continues its musical journey with exciting exploratory sounds from all over the world. It begins by celebrating the 75th birthday of composer Terry Riley, the father of American minimalism. Terry takes the stage with Mercury Music award-winning tabla player and multi-instrumentist Talvin Singh and progressive saxophonist George Brooks, on what is a rare visit to Europe. The festival ends with the oldest active early music group in Europe, Hortus Musicus, from Estonia. They celebrate two more 75th birthdays: those of Estonian Arvo Pärt and Georgian Giya Kancheli. In between comes the UK premiere of Flemish Belgium minimalist composer Wim Mertens, a rare UK performance by French Catalan musician Pascal Comelade, the only UK performance of UK composer Gavin Bryars, the UK premiere of Estonian power folk band Svjata Vatra and the UK premiere of Brazilian singer Fernanda Takai, best known as the vocalist of Brazilian super group Pato Fu.

Due to unforeseen circumstances Mabrouk Band (Israel), Shira U’tfila (Serbia) and Madame Mim (Brazil) will be unable to perform at London International Festival of Exploratory Music this November. However, we are delighted to announce that Les Yeux Noirs (France), Monster Ceilidh Band (UK) and Daniel Peixoto (ex-Montage, Brazil) will be their replacements, in what is a rare UK performance by the French gypsy/klezmer virtuoso ensemble, the London premiere of Newcastle’s happy energetic non-stop danceable Ceilidh band, and the European premiere of the shockingly sexy electro-punk solo project by the Brazilian MTV outrageous superstar.

Below is the full updated music programme:

Wednesday, 04 November 09

Thursday, 05 November 09

Friday, 06 November 09

Saturday, 07 November 09