The second edition of the Sharjah World Music Festival opened in grand fashion on Friday with a superstar performer and a majestic new venue.
The Iraqi singer Kadim Al Sahir headlined a sold-out concert at the recently built Al Majaz Amphitheatre in the emirate’s Khalid Lagoon.
It is a venue befitting Sharjah's status as one of the region's cultural hubs. Constructed last year, the amphitheatre was recently given a test run with live performances of the talent show Munshid Al Sharjah last month.
The Roman-style curved structure was immaculate, with comfortable couch-style seating. The main stage had the serene backdrop of the lagoon and the emirate’s skyline, including the golden, lit-up Al Noor Mosque.
The venue was an ideal match for the 57-year-old Al Sahir. Due to the UAE’s lack of large-sized theatre venues in the past, fans had to witness Sahir’s dramatic and poetic performances in ritzy wedding halls or festival stages.
But at the amphitheatre, he was finally in his element, and delivered a spellbinding set, confirming why he stands apart from the rest of the Arab pop pack.
An Al Sahir gig is not your usual run-of-the-mill concert because the Iraqi doesn’t do ditties. A lyricist and composer, Al Sahir is noted for pieces that are often streams of poetry with a musical soundtrack. The hooks come in the form of repetition of key phrases or instrumental passages.
The yearning opener Ardy Khodourha is a case in point: Al Sahir glided along the lyrics, with a winning orchestra section between each verse. Ha Habibi was equally emotive, and the crowd joined for a singalong.
In the rather jaunty Ya Kadab, Al Sahir was joined by the inaugural The Voice Arabia winner Saatar Saad, proving Al Sahir was true to his word in tutoring his fellow compatriot after the season. Zidni Ashqan's melancholy was perked up by the percussion. However, it never got in the way of Al Sahir's classical Arabic lyrics as he described his heartbroken state: "The oldest city of sorrow and my wounds are as deep as hieroglyphics."
In the classy ballad Abous Qalbak (I Will Kiss Your Heart), his sensitivity was off the charts as he begged his lover "to keep your heart soft, be kind, honey, be soft."
The adoration from his female fans had Al Sahir pausing to inquire where the men were. Al Sahir ensured everyone got involved by playing a traditional Iraqi number; its sturdy beat had the crowd ignoring all etiquette and creating an impromptu dance floor where they indulged in the Chobi, an Iraqi dabkla-styled dance. Thrilled, Al Sahir stood on stage and egged them on. Looks like those wedding hall gigs have come in quite useful, after all.
The Sharjah World Music Festival runs until January 25. For ticket details, visit www.ticketmaster.ae
sasaeed@thenational.ae
