The British Council is organising a music tour featuring Pete Lockett, Mekaal Hasan and The Network of Sparks in March. The tour comprises three concerts, with a concert each in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad. The tour aims to bring together a variety of styles, influences and artistic talent, both from Pakistan and the UK featuring percussion, vocals, flute, sitar, classical music and guitar.

Pete Lockett is a versatile multi-percussionist who has played with some of the top artists in the commercial world of pop as well as with some of the biggest names in jazz. Recent recordings featuring Pete’s talents are albums by Mel C, Bjork, Kula Shaker and Texas.

The Network of Sparks is a unique collaboration integrating drumming traditions and styles from every corner of the globe. The show is a dynamic journey through the diverse world of percussion, juxtaposing instruments and sounds in ways that would not be found in any specific tradition, going from ambient textures of Vibes and Tabla to the driving grooves of Africa and the thunderous rhythms of the Japanese Taiko.

Pete has also worked extensively on the last two James Bond movies (Tomorrow Never Dies and The World is Not Enough) as well as The Insider, City of Angels and The Bone Collector.

One of his main areas of interest has been the classical music of the subcontinent. When Pete met up with guitarist Mekaal Hasan in London in October last year, the two started discussing material on which they could collaborate. This upcoming tour is a result of their partnership.

Three concerts will be held in Pakistan. They will feature a classical segment, where Pete will play tablas, accompanying Riaz Ali Khan, the famous Pakistani classical singer, and other musicians. Original material written by Mekaal Hasan featuring vocals, flute, sitar, percussion and guitar will also form a part of the tour.

After the concerts have taken place, Pete and Mekaal will document and expand upon the materials played in the concerts, working at the Digital Fidelity Studios in Lahore. This will result in recordings featuring original compositions by Mekaal Hasan based on the rhythms and ragas of this part of the world. The result will be a fusion of western-style instruments and harmonic concepts with eastern scales and rhythms.

Dates and venues

Lahore
16 March 2001
Alhamra Cultural Complex (Gaddafi Stadium)
The concert will form part of the 2nd World Music Festival Pakistan being held in Lahore from 10 to 20 March 2001.

Islamabad
17 March 2001
Venue: Open-air Theatre, Lok Virsa

Karachi
18 March 2001
Venue: Bahria Auditorium, Karsaz

Tickets cost Rs 300 each.

For more information contact the British Council office in Karachi, Lahore or Islamabad on 111 424 424.