Making Tracks Season4: Line-up announced!

Following an exceptional season3, the most successful to date, Making Tracks are delighted to announce the artists for season4, which will run from Sept 2013 to May 2014. Once again four great ensembles will criss-cross the country playing in 11 of the finest venues – a unique opportunity for audiences and musicians, placing exhilarating global sounds in a local context. Coming to a venue near you: 

ADRIANO ADEWALE & BENJAMIM TAUBKIN (Brazil/UK)

From subtle to sumptuous on piano & percussion 

ON TOUR 26 Sept - 10 Oct 2013

More info

 


BALLAKÉ SISSOKO: At Peace (Mali)
Classical soundscapes of African beauty
ON TOUR: 20 Nov – 1 Dec 2013
More info

MOKOOMBA (Zimbabwe)
Rising stars from Zimbabwe: Electrifying, intoxicating, irresistible!
ON TOUR: 30 Mar - 12 Apr 2014
More info

DEBASHISH BHATTACHARYA (India)
Global Adventures on a Slide Guitar
ON TOUR: 7-18 May 2014
More info

Making Tracks is programmed & produced by KAPA Productions funded by Arts Council England.
www.makingtrackslive.org.uk

Participating venues include: 

The Apex (Bury St Edmunds), Colston Hall (Bristol), The Junction (Cambridge), Lighthouse (Poole), mac (Birmingham), NCEM (York), Pontardawe Arts Centre (Swansea),  Rich Mix (London), The Sage Gateshead, The Stables (Milton Keynes), Wiltshire Music Centre (Bradford-on-Avon)

Live Review: Johanna Juhola Reaktori at The Junction

By Robert Burnham-Rusk

Painting a story with their music, Johanna Juhola Reaktori whisk the audience away in an emotion fuelled, musical journey, that visits both comedy and tragedy.

Johanna Juhola Reaktori are a Finnish quartet who explore many different styles and genres throughout their lively set. The group mix elements of traditional folk and tango with electronic drum beats, conveying musical storytelling with a catchy dance vibe. Johanna describes the band’s sound as “Fantasy Tango” and played her song Fantasiatango at the 2007 Eurovision contest held in Finland, receiving well deserved recognition for her innovative music.

Unsure of exactly what I was about to witness from the genre defying quartet hailing from Helsinki, I took to my seat, excited. The house lights dimmed and a video of an old black and white film was projected on to the curtain at the back of the stage. The band bounded over to their instruments, in brightly coloured, cartoonlike outfits and one by one joined in with the music from the video. I soon realised that this wasn’t just simply a gig; it was an artistic performance, a show, an experience.

Live Review: Johanna Juhola Reaktori at The Stables

By Charmaine White

I wasn't sure what to expect when I first sat down in the auditorium at The Stables in Milton Keynes. I'd never heard of Johanna Juhola until a few weeks ago, and tango music isn't my preferred choice of music, let alone Finnish tango. However, as the lights gently dimmed and the hall fell silent, there was no big entrance for this band. The quartet modestly took to their seats and with a nod to the audience, began doing what they do best. I was suddenly caught up in their talent. From Johanna Juhola's intricate finger work on the accordion, blended with an up-tempo bass line from Sara Puljula and the jazzy twinkling of Milla Viljamaa on the piano, pulled together by a tight electronic beat from Tuomas Norvio on the synth pad, the auditorium was suddenly brought alive by the sound of Finnish tango.

Live Review: Johanna Juhola Reaktori at NCEM

By Desmond Clarke

Surrealist, globetrotting folktronica is rather unsual fare for York’s National Centre for Early Music; so much so that the audience, while warmly appreciative, at times seemed slightly baffled by the manic, impish figure of Johanna Juhola and her garishly dressed band. The musicians’ easy banter and obvious engagement with their songs however soon won over the eclectic crowd as they led us boldly through the world of Finnish tango music.