UK music fests in Hanoi, HCMC

Young Scottish indie band Bwani Junction joins the UK Now! music festival - Photo: Courtesy of the British Council

The free events are among activities to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Vietnam–UK diplomatic relations and 20 years of the British Council in Vietnam.

In Hanoi, the event will take place at Van Ho Exhibition Center from 6 p.m. until 11 p.m. while music lovers in HCMC can go to Q4 to enjoy the live action.

Tickets can be obtained from the British Council, 20 Thuy Khue, Tay Ho or CAMA ATK, 73A Mai Hac De, Hanoi from Friday. In HCMC, tickets are available at the British Council, 25 Le Duan, District 1 or obtained from www.ticketbox.vn.

Anushka is a Brighton-based duo made up of producer Max Wheeler and singer/songwriter Victoria Port. Drawing on the UK’s rich heritage of scattered snares, sub low rumble and breakbeat culture in its myriad forms, Wheeler has the innate ability to create urgent, compulsively danceable rhythms marrying swaggering, boisterous drums and melodic hooks, whilst simultaneously paying homage to historic melting pots of innovation such as Detroit, Chicago and London. Layering up Victoria’s delicate, graceful vocals on these foundations, the pair has struck gold. Anushka is touted as one of the most exciting dance acts of 2013.

Bwani Junction is one of the UK’s hottest young indie bands, made up of four young Scottish males. The outfit mixes afrobeat rhythms with the kind of infectious, feel-good anthems and grubby lyricism that make British guitar music so popular all over the world. Their debut album Fully Cocked was nominated for the Scottish Album of the Year 2012; the band won the Best Newcomer at the SAMA 2012, the Scottish Alternative Music Awards 2012.

The UK bands will perform alongside Vietnam’s next generation of top musicians including DJ Slim V and flutist Huyen Trang, LND Underground, WhiteNoiz and Saigon Beats.

Additionally, there will be a musical workshop involving Anushka and Bwani Junction on November 8 at CAMA ATK, 73 Mai Hac De Street, Hanoi with the participation of both local and foreign musicians.

The workshop is targeted by those keen to learn more about electronic composition and production, songwriting, guitar, bass, drum, DJ and singing techniques as well as mixing musical genres. For workshop registration and all related information, contact Ms. Pham Minh Hong from British Council Hanoi, tel: 04 3728 1924.