Agmal Layali - A tribute to Oum Kalthoum
TL;DR:
Who: Love & Revenge by Rayess Bek Where: Rote Fabrik, Zürich When: 01.03.2026 How much: CHF 15-40
We have teamed up from our friends at Sonic Matter to present you with a beautiful visual concert by Love & Revenge. In their new creation «Agmal Layali / The most beautiful nights», the group pays tribute to Oum Kalthoum, fusing the mesmerizing tarab of the Egyptian legend with the rhythms of drum machines, synths, and electric oud.
Understand
Love & Revenge
Staying true to the concept of its renowned visual concerts, Love and Revenge seamlessly blends archival footage and traditional sounds from the Arab world with contemporary electronic music. In Agmal Layali (The Most Beautiful Nights), the group fuses the mesmerizing "tarab" of the Egyptian diva with the rhythms of drum machines, synthesizers, and electric oud. This performance is both a musical tribute and a reinterpretation of cultural heritage, inviting audiences across generations to discover or rediscover the captivating voice of Oum Kalthoum and the timeless magic of tarab.
Love and Revenge embarks on an ambitious artistic project by revisiting Oum Kalthoum’s iconic repertoire, exploring the synergy between the Diva's tarab and electronic music.
Musical conception and composition: Wael Koudaih (Rayess Bek)
Electric oud: Mehdi Haddab
Keyboards: Julien Perraudeau
Samplers + video: Wael Koudaih
Video creation : Joan Baz
Sound: Ludovic Joyeux
Lighting: Rima Ben Brahim
Production manager: Sébastien Lepotvin
Oum Kalthoum -The Queen of Tarab
Contrary to popular belief, Tarab is not a musical genre. In Arab culture, Tarab is used to describe the emotional impact of music, and it is also associated with a traditional form of artistic music. It refers to an ancient repertoire rooted in the musical practices of Egypt and the eastern Mediterranean Arab world before World War I and is directly tied to emotional evocation.
Throughout Arab history, music has been linked to extraordinary powers believed to transform both the audience and the musicians on a spiritual level. There is no precise English word that captures the meaning of Tarab, which makes it difficult to define. Tarab can be seen as a multifaceted musical experience capable of eliciting intense emotional and mental reactions, ranging from excitement, inspiration, and creativity to feelings of ecstasy, timelessness, and even sorrow.
Tarab can be triggered by various musical elements, such as a singer's vocal performance, instrumental virtuosity, the lyrical poetry of the lyrics, or the complexity of melodic structures. It can also be amplified by the interaction between the musician and the audience, creating a shared collective experience.
Tarab is deeply rooted in Arab musical culture, and Oum Kalthoum became one of its greatest interpreters. Her powerful voice, her talent for emotional interpretation, and her ability to create a deep emotional connection with her audience made her a true legend of Arab music. Her legacy in the world of Tarab endures to this day.
Construct
Though originating from distinct cultural contexts, tarab and electronic music share certain musical and experiential similarities. Firstly, both genres emphasize repetition and the creation of hypnotic sound patterns. Tarab, with its intricate melodies and repetitive sequences, shares this characteristic with electronic music, where loops and recurring motifs transport the listener into an alternate reality.
Additionally, both tarab and electronic music are often associated with intense sensory experiences. The emotional nuances of tarab, with its passionate vocals and rich musical arrangements, resonate with the sonic intensity generated by electronic music, especially in club and festival settings. Finally, both genres have the ability to transcend the individual and create a sense of community and belonging, whether in tarab concerts where the audience actively participates or in electronic music events where crowds dance in harmony, sharing a collective musical experience.
Deconstruct
By presenting an "Electronic Oum Kalthoum," our ambition is to build a cultural bridge, introducing the Diva to a new generation that may be less familiar with the richness of Arab musical heritage. By incorporating modern beats, synthesizers, and other elements of electronic music, we seek to establish an intergenerational connection.
Love and Revenge is part of a broader sociocultural effort aimed at reshaping perceptions associated with the Arab world. Through the power of music, the group aspires to offer an alternative perspective, far removed from the stereotypical representations often portrayed in the media. Love and Revenge positions itself as a catalyst for change, unveiling the cultural richness of the region and encouraging a positive appreciation of its musical heritage. This approach is rooted in the belief that music has the power to transcend cultural boundaries and foster mutual understanding among people.
Get in
Rote Fabrik
Seestrasse 395
8038 Zürich
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