02/05/2022
Want to join our urban cantata? A number of choirs from Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels perform through the Marolles, after which Laïla Amezian and Olivier Thomas invite you to sing along during a grand final concert.
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11/04/2022
Finally we were able again to bring together a large group of musicians for our annual residency! More than 60 musicians from BRUiTAL, Remork & Karkaba, Bakanaï and Fanfakids, among others prepared in GC Nekkersdal for the upcoming concerts.
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31/03/2022
MetX, CC Bruegel and Bozar present an exciting new edition of Singing Brussels, organised as part of the Fête de la musique! On Sunday 19 June, you can enjoy a musical tour across singing concerts in the Marolles, that will end with a large participatory concert in front of the Palais de Justice.
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15/03/2022
Early March, we took part in MUSIKAA, the project of Klarafestival and Bozar in Molenbeek. Together with VK, we pay tribute to two musical traditions from Morocco that have been passed on orally by women: Izran & Chaabi. With an interactive lecture on 7/03, a residency from 9-12/03 and a series of try out concerts on 13/03.
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25/02/2022
This year's Zinneke Parade will take place on 14 May and will have the theme "Trompe l'oeil". Various groups and artists from MetX also participate. The Fanfakids form a zinnode with Kuumba and BBO, BRUiTAL works on DIY percussion instruments and some MetX musicians organise rhythmic workshops for brass and wind musicians.
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02/02/2022
Our brand new compilation featuring the newest and most original sounds from the MetX universe. Ready to explore Mâäk’s musical freedom, BRUiTAL’s intriguing soundscapes, the Fanfakids’ youthful energy or the generous cross-fertilization of gnawa music, jazz & brass by Marockin’ Brass and Remork & Karkaba?
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17/01/2022
Mâäk Quintet releases a second track as part of our MetXology compilation. In Papa Ours, trumpet, alt sax and tenor sax interlace three separate melodic lines, propelled by a question-answer game of two repetitive loops, each with different lengths. They performed the new track live at Brussels Jazz Weekend Winter, the online release is coming soon!
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06/12/2021
Brass from the world of jazz and global sounds, multilingual vocals, spoken word and rhythms that take you to North and West Africa. At it’s Winter Event on December 12, Darna offers you two exclusive concerts at AB, for free and 100% corona proof: AGO Gnawa ft. T.B. Wèh & BLAST, followed by Gnawa de Bruxelles ft. Lucid Lucia.
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28/11/2021
Helping young people in Brussels with spaghetti and an evening out? That's what we did during our BSN Brass, Bolo & B-Boy Battle on Saturday 27/11. On the menu: an original mix of dance, music, (wrestling) sports and spaghetti with the partners of Brede School Nieuwland, for the benefit of Brussel Helpt.
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10/11/2021
After an intimate version in 2020, we celebrated the dead this year with a whole series of festivities! On the programme: workshops for young and old. A giant altar for leaving mementos of the dearly departed. And a finale with no less than four different Día de Muertos processions and Mexican fireworks!
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02/11/2021
The first music video by the Fanfakids and the breakdancers of Urban Center Brussel! Director Klaas Boelen wrote and shot the clip with the Fanfakids, who show off their percussion and dance skills as well as their cinematographic ambitions. The official release took place on 2 November during Filem'On, the International Film Festival for Young Audiences.
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21/10/2021
In the run-up to the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow, the Scottish group Oi Musica invites music makers worldwide for a powerful climate wake-up call. Luc Mishalle, Jo Zanders and other MetX musicians made a Brussels arrangement of Karine Polwart's song Enough is Enough, together with a matching video clip.
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30/09/2021
In addition to our well-known productions, house artists and ad hoc projects, MetX is always looking for young blood, emerging musicians or original formats. That's why we launch a new 'Carte Blanche'. The goal? Develop a new project from scratch in 2022 under the wings of MetX.
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22/09/2021
On Wednesday 22 September, the Doors Open Day of Brede School Nieuwland took place in the heart of the Marolles. As a partner, we also gave a foretaste of some after-school activities offered by MetX: the Fanfakids + breakdancers of Urban Center Brussel and our gnawa training programme Karkaba.
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02/09/2021
The first day of school is an exciting day for many children. Together with Circularium and the Cosmogolem we wanted to make it something special. With performances, games, initiations trampoline jumping and putting dreams for the new school year into the heart of a wooden giant!
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19/08/2021
Want to learn more about this traditional music and dance genre from Morocco? Mâalem Driss Filali and Mohamed Saïd Akasri invite you to workshops in a.o. the Marolles neighbourhood, Zaventem and Waregem. And via the Muziekpublique Academy you can participate at a series of gnawa initiations with our training program Karkaba.
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30/06/2021
Mâäk Quintet also releases new work as part of our MetXology compilation. With 'Sémille-Sommeille', they let music speak to the soul where words sometimes fail. Ready for an inner mind trip full of frenetic themes and improvisations? Discover Mâäk Quintet's new single on Spotify!
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29/06/2021
From the academic year 2021-2022 onwards, the Hoofdstedelijke Kunstacademie and MetX are joining forces. Wind instrument students at the academy can take their ensemble/combo classes with MetX groups Bakanaï or Remork & Karkaba. Musicians from these groups can, in turn, join the academy for additional instrumental lessons.
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22/06/2021
In the weekend of 19-21 June, we FINALLY celebrated outside again! Our groups and artists turned the streets and squares upside down during Fête de la Musique. With Remork & Karkaba and Fanfakids in Molenbeek, balcony concerts in les Marolles and a smashing fanfare fiesta at the Sk8tepark Ursulines!
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10/05/2021
The Brussels Cosmogolem is ready for a corona-proof party! From 13 to 16 May, together with numerous children and artists, we will celebrate the inauguration of this new work of art for children's rights. Get ready for a 4-day 'Celebration Wave' with a start in Genk, stops in Diest and Leuven and apotheosis on the Place de la Vaillance in Anderlecht!
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07/05/2021
Alluring melodies, enchanting vocals, breathtaking brass instruments and an explosive chaabi groove. Les Sheikhs Shikhats & B’net Chaabi will charm you with contemporary compositions, based on Moroccan repertoires from the end of the 19th century. Discover this joyful band of no less than 18 vocalists and musicians!
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31/03/2021
A lot of youngsters are having a hard time during this pandemic. In Brussels, Leuven, Diest and Genk, organisations are joining forces to artistically reinforce the voices, wishes and dreams of young people about what it means to live together in the city. They focus on the question “Hoe dream jij notre stad?” ("How do you dream our city?”)
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25/03/2021
Our gnawa fanfare releases three new tracks: own arrangements of the gnawa-classic “Tchor Kerira” and the Latin American traditional “Maria Theresa”, plus an arrangement of Luc Mishalle's "Afriquia". You will also recognise the latter song as the soundtrack for their brand new video!
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10/03/2021
Flemish Minister of Culture Jan Jambon had Karkaba added to the Register of Inspiring Examples of intangible heritage. Through this training programme around gnawa culture, people of all ages, sexes and origins can familiarise themselves with traditional gnawa music, dance and singing.
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02/03/2021
Want to keep playing music without live rehearsals? As a musician of our participatory groups, you can practice from home with tutorial videos and other online tools. An overview of our digital repertoire, in anticipation of the new concert season:
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15/02/2021
The week of 8 till 14 February has been one big declaration of love to Belgian music. Together with VI.BE, VRT and the broad music sector, we've put homegrown music in the spotlight. On the menu: gnawa-jazz with MXDO @ Lagrange Points, MikMâäk @ De Bijloke, BWMN Showcase Night & much more!
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18/01/2021
The CosmoGolem is coming to Brussels. This wooden giant, created by artist Koen Vanmechelen, is a worldwide symbol for children's rights. In collaboration with B-Classic, Studio Koen Vanmechelen and local organisations, we bring together children and artists to make it an unforgettable journey.
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18/01/2021
In 2021 we'll be releasing a new volume of our MetXology compilation albums. Mâäk Quintet and Marockin' Brass started recording at the end of 2020. Fanfakids, BRUiTAL and Karkaba will follow soon. The new tracks will be available online and hopefully to be discovered at a concert or festival near you!
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09/12/2020
In addition to our well-known productions, house artists and ad hoc projects, MetX is always looking for young blood, emerging musicians or original formats. That's why in 2021, we launch another 'Carte Blanche' for a musician to start a new project under the wings of MetX.
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01/12/2020
As from 2021, Urban Center Brussel organises percussion workshops featuring the Fanfakids. Children aged 6-12 years can learn different rhythms together with some advanced group members and ex-Fanfakid Jalel Vangoethem. The workshops will take place each Monday at Campus Nieuwland.
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24/11/2020
MikMâäk embarked for a cherished collaboration with the French top guitarist Marc Ducret. An extraordinary alchemy between two innovative, free-spirited natures. Due to the corona measures, the concert at De Bijloke on 9 December was broadcasted via livestream.
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17/11/2020
New adventures await the Fanfakids. Since this autumn, the percussion workshops have been extended to schools in Molenbeek and the Marolles, veteran Jalel Vangoethem joins the team and both the costumes and the logo of the group underwent a thorough makeover.
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03/11/2020
The 3rd edition of Dia de Muertos dans les Marolles was a rather discrete one. This year, the Mexican Day of the dead commemorated the victims of the corona crisis. With the construction of an altar, workshops, intimate concerts and a sober celebration on the Place du Jeu de Balle.
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27/10/2020
MetX temporarily suspends all rehearsals. All concerts of our groups have also been canceled till the start of 2021. We hope all the measures will help decrease the pressure caused by Covid-19 on our health care system. Meanwhile, stay safe and keep in touch via our social media and newsletter!
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22/10/2020
Imane Guemssy's project will stand on its own two feet. Thanks to a Carte Blanche from MetX, she gathered a completely female gnawa group around her in 2019. Together, they started to develop a contemporary repertoire. After launching the project at MetX, Imane will now run the group on an independent basis.
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13/10/2020
Because of the corona crisis, 20 years of Zinneke will be given an unusual interpretation: a soundscape with testimonies and sounds from participants, Zinnodes organising Simili Parades and a final happening with a.o. BRUiTAL and Fanfakids “Loops”.
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16/09/2020
No time to rest in the nest for our giant snake! After several summer parades, this autumn the Quetzalcóatl meanders crisscross through Antwerp, Ghent and the Marolles. With in its tracks pupils of primary school De Luchtballon from Merksem, Ledebirds from Ghent and Remork & Karkaba.
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15/09/2020
As part of the Saison Libre at Théâtre National, you can jam with Laurent Blondiau and other MetX artists after a number of theater performances. Wanna tune in to a mix of cosmopolitan sounds and vibes? The first sessions of 10/10/20 and 14/01/21 have been canceled, but other jams will take place in early 2021!
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09/09/2020
Good news for Bakanaï, BRUiTAL, Fanfakids, Tsoukina and Remork & Karkaba: after an interruption of months we can finally start up the rehearsals again. Of course, with adapted safety measures and colour codes that apply to the cultural sector.
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19/08/2020
The mythical giant snake Quetzalcóatl has been slithering through Brussels this summer. With workshops around percussion, voice, costumes and masks in collaboration with CC Brass and Park Poétik + parades along Forest & Saint-Gilles, the Wolvendael Park and Camping Josée.
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07/07/2020
This summer we've strengthened Karkaba, our training program around gnawa music. In addition to biweekly rehearsals at MetX, we also organised workshops on location as part of StaycationBXL. There was a series for women in collaboration with Buurthuis Anneessens and one for young people in collaboration with We Love BXL.
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28/05/2020
The public space was the place to be for enjoying concerts this summer. Our artists proposed three temporary MetX Moving Combos: original formulas featuring 4 musicians from the Brussels global sounds and jazz scene. Acoustic, mobile and 100% corona-proof!
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28/05/2020
On 29 and 30 May, the organisers of 11 established jazz festivals joined forces for an online festival. Mâäk Quintet, normally programmed at Brussels Jazz Weekend, performed alongside other big names from the Belgian jazz scene such as De Beren Gieren, Jean-Paul Estiévenart, Esinam and Nabou.
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14/05/2020
Alien life, the Bermuda Triangle or the primal sound of MetX... According to science, they must exist even in the absence of hard evidence. Let's give it a try as far as our sound goes: discover the MetX MiXtape and playlists with musical influences from our artists.
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14/05/2020
The social distancing measures oblige MetX to thoroughly review our agenda for 2020. At least until the end of August, many events will be cancelled, moved to a later date or feature alternative formulas like online gatherings and pop-up concerts.
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16/03/2020
Given the recent developments regarding the spread of Covid-19, all concerts and rehearsals from MetX groups are canceled. Our annual weekend of residence has been suspended to the Spring of 2021. We are looking for alternative formulas to organise (mini) concerts later this year. More info and updates via our social media and newsletter.
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27/02/2020
March 8 is International Womens’ Day. The ideal occasion for some sneak preview concerts by female gnawa group Tsoukina. On March 7 they play first at the Chaabi Habibi event at UPA, after which they join the all womxn line-up of the Intersections party at VK. Parallel to these try outs, they further develop their repertoire during weekly rehearsals at MetX and a residence at Zinnema in May.
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10/02/2020
This year the quintet around Laurent Blondiau will once again pull out all the stops. They are preparing for a whole series of concerts in Belgium and abroad. During Brussels Jazz Weekend, they will invite Laïla Amezian, Zouratié Koné and Imane Guemssy with MetX and play for the Journée des Lundis d'Hortense on the Grand Place. And in June they host a brass battle for Fête de la Musique.
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09/02/2020
2020 is going to be massive for Fanfakids. With performances and workshops In Belgium and abroad, celebrating their 20th anniversary with Zinneke Parade, a makeover of their outfit by a fashion designer and new international exchanges!
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09/02/2020
The Zinneke Parade celebrates its 20th anniversary! For this festive edition Fanfakids, created during the 1st parade in 2000, together with Sysmitos, Ledebirds, Urban Center Brussel, Elastik vzw, WijkAntenne de Quartier (WAQ) and Maison de Quartier 6 Heyvaert (MQ6) form the Zinnode "Loops".
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23/10/2019
On November 30 we organised a MetX Solidarity Jam for Fair Saturday and the charity campaign Brussel Helpt. All night long people enjoyed good music while supporting a good cause. On the menu: a try out by our new group Bakanaï, a sticky jam session and a spaghetti fest for the benefit of DoucheFLUX.
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09/10/2019
In October MetX participated again at the celebrations of the Mexican Day of the Dead in les Marolles. Young and old joined workshops around a.o. music, dance, decoration and make-up. The climax was a festive parade with music from the Mexican artist Israel Alonso and Remork & Karkaba.
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28/08/2019
From September 14 till October 5, De Centrale organises the first Gnawa festival in Ghent. The kick-off happens during OdeGand with a gnawa parade or ‘Krima’. At the request of De Centrale, MetX invites a large number of gnawa musicians from Brussels, completed by gnawas from Ghent and Antwerp.
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23/08/2019
OUT NOW: MikMâäk #2, the long-awaited follow-up to their debut album from 2015. With live-recorded compositions by Fabian Fiorini, Pascal Rousseau, Samuel Ber and Laurent Blondiau. Release concerts at Recyclart, Handelsbeurs en Théâtre Marni (13/02). And a video clip bathing in typically disarming Mâäk-humour.
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07/08/2019
The project Al-Karavan is a series of nomadic musical encounters, paying tribute to the first generation of Moroccan migrants in Belgium. On September 20 and 21 the musicians set foot at Le Senghor in Etterbeek. Featuring a.o. Les Fatmas de Belgica, Laïla Amezian & Les Sheikhs Shikhats and Remork & Karkaba.
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01/08/2019
MetX goes on tour in Brussels. Together with several cultural partners, we organise open jam sessions on various locations throughout the city. You can join other musicians, both professionals and amateurs, and tune in to a mix of various musical genres.
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17/06/2019
This year la Fête de la Musique took place from June 20 till 23. Four days filled with hundreds of concerts throughout Brussels and Wallonia. Including a massive brass battle in les Marolles organised by MetX!
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10/06/2019
MetX is setting up a new multidisciplinary ensemble. Not just a brass band, but a kind of laboratory where you can experiment and learn as an (amateur) artist. Trumpet player and composer Laurent Blondiau provides the artistic framework. Want to join the project?
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17/05/2019
Are you working for a collective, production house, concert venue, festival or other type of organisation with an interest in world music? Than the Belgian World Music Network might be your thing! Join us at the annual World Music Meeting on May 23.
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02/05/2019
From May 24 till 26 the Brussels Jazz Weekend will take place again. During this free city festival, music lovers can enjoy hundreds of concerts throughout the city of Brussels. […]
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18/04/2019
Have you ever heard a harmonic orchestra play gnawa jazz? On the 19th of May, the Royal Harmony Sint-Cecilia Gullegem and our gnawa brassband Remork & Karkaba played a joint performance during the world music festival Kokopelli. An unseen exchange between lively musical traditions from Belgium and Morocco!
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05/04/2019
End of March 2019, we organised a weekend filled with master classes for our musicians. The members of Remork & Karkaba, Ander Brass en BRUiTAL had the opportunity to improve their groups’ repertoires and their individual artistic skills. All three bands also did some try-outs and promising soundclashes. And they even got company from BRUZZ-videoblogger Saïd Al Haddad. Check out some photos and videos below:
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15/03/2019
Our punk-style fanfare BRUiTAL is developing a new repertoire. Jo, Vital and their brutal bunch of underground noise makers try out new stuff during pop-up performances at parties and other […]
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16/01/2019
Early 2019, MikMâäk was resident band at the W:Halll in Woluwe Saint-Pierre (Brussels). Jazz trumpeteer Laurent Blondiau and his fellow musicians have benefited from the occasion to record a new […]
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03/01/2019
On January 24 we invited all participants and partners of MegafoniX for a massive jam session. Through this participatory musical project, driven by the district development contract Jonction, we connected […]
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10/12/2018
Early December, the original partners in crime of Mâäk played four exclusive concerts. This exceptional Mâäk Five reunion concluded the 20th anniversary of the renowned jazz collective. Throughout 2018, Mâäk […]
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07/11/2018
During the autumn leave, celebrations of the Mexican Day of the Dead took place in les Marolles. Featuring workshops for children, dance initiations, an exhibition and a festive parade on […]
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30/10/2018
On November 8 a new jam took place at Pianocktail. We invited musicians to join Quintette Diminué, a quintet of four musicians playing five instruments. And trying out countless different […]
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24/10/2018
There it is! Marockin’ Brass has released a new album. For ‘Beats and Pieces’ the gnawa-jazz band of Luc Mishalle worked together with Tunisian producer Sofyann Ben Youssef and Roel […]
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04/09/2018
Every second Thursday of the month we focus on a different style of music during a jam at the Pianocktail in Les Marolles. On September 13 we invited the Renaud […]
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04/09/2018
Mâäk KOJO is back on tour and this doesn’t go unnoticed! True Blue took some images of their opening concert in Belgium. You can still check them at one of […]
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03/09/2018
Laurent Blondiau,the co-artistic director of MetX and leader of the jazz collective Mâäk, gets a ‘Carte Blanche’ for the Jazz Festival at Théâtre Marni this year! As an artist with […]
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24/08/2018
Lies Steppe had a chat with Fabian Fiorini and Laurent Blondiau from the bigband MikMâäk. The occasion: Mâäk’s 20th anniversary and their carte blanche at Jazz Middelheim. Check out the […]
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30/07/2018
We are delighted to announce you that Marockin’ Brass is releasing a new album ‘Beats & Pieces’ on October 19, 2018. The gnawa-jazz band invited the talented producer Sofyann Ben […]
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23/07/2018
The pounding drums of VelotroniX are going international this summer. From 18 to 20 July, they are travelling to Lake Balaton for the Babel Sound festival in Hungary. In August […]
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06/07/2018
Mâäk KOJO is coming back to Belgium in september! This is where you can find them: Mâäk KOJO concerts 02.09.2018 – Les Inattendues, Tournai 14.09.2018 – Espace Senghor, Brussels 15.09.2018 […]
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22/06/2018
La Monnaie / De Munt presents Orfeo & Majnun. It blends the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice with the well-known Middle Eastern love story of Layla and Majnun. On June 30, they’re […]
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19/06/2018
On June 21, the Marollen distict transforms into a big musical ring, during Fête de la Musique. Fanfares, choirs, rappers, breakdancers and majoretten are confronting each other on the ‘Place […]
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08/06/2018
The cultural center of Etterbeek Le Senghor invites KOJO to give workshops to kids between 6 and 12 years old. The workshops will take place between 20 and 24 august 2018. […]
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01/06/2018
Join the MegafoniX Jams every second Thursday of the month! Every jam we’ll focus on a different style of music. We’re very excited to announce this month’s First collaboration with Jam […]
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25/05/2018
Marockin’ Brass did a live session for Radio 1 on the world day for cultural diversity. The song ‘Jilali Bouhalem’ will also appear on their next album, to be released […]
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15/05/2018
Mâäk continues celebrating their 20th anniversary and will have a ‘Carte Blanche’ at Jazz Middelheim, Antwerp, this summer! On Sunday, August 12, there are no less than 4 Mâäk projects […]
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26/03/2018
After a successful concert at the Brussels Jazz Festival in Flagey, MikMâäk prepares itself for their second big date this year. The bigband of 16 jazzmen will play at the […]
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19/03/2018
Fanfakids Go Strange again! The percussion group from Molenbeek is ready for their trip to Togo and Benin this summer. They gathered 104 % (or €4,150) of the desired amount […]
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02/03/2018
Zinneke & MetX unite forces for a brand new, ambitious project: BRU(i)TAL. Click on the video for a preview, you can see the result of their work at the Zinneke […]
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27/02/2018
On the april 19, the renown B–Classic festival starts in Genk. Marockin’ Brass will play there three times: on’ B-Classic barst los’, ‘ B-Classic betovert ‘ and ‘ B-Classic cycles ‘ (19, 20 and 22 April). The Gnawa–Jazz band is working on a new album and may […]
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20/02/2018
In 2018, the jazz collective Mâäk is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a nice series of concerts with: 21.04.2018 – Mâäk Quintet: Journée de propreté, Brussels 04.05.2018 – MikMâäk: De Roma, Antwerp 26.05.2018 […]
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29/01/2018
The Fanfakids are in the final phase of their growfunding. Just like the previous generations of Fanfakids, the current group also wants to go on a musical adventure in West […]
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