Best of Budapest & Hungary

It would be difficult to categorise the music of Bedouin Soundclash, as world music, reggae, dance, jazz and punk are all inspirations, and the result is light and happy, as if the songs were written in a place where the sun is always shining. So their concert is a great opportunity to dive headfirst into summer on 12 June at Turbina.

    With the sunny, light music of Bedouin Soundclash, you'd never guess that the band lives and works in freezing Canada. Formed in 2001, the band takes its name from Israeli dub artist Badawi's 1996 release. Their debut album Root Fire, released the same year, received great reviews, and the subsequent Sounding a Mosaic (2004) brought the band international fame, sold-out concerts and festival appearances around the world. The album also included the hit “When The Night Feels My Song” and in 2006 they were awarded the JUNO Award for Best New Group.

    Their sound is difficult to define and exists somewhere in the ‘global, dance. world punk/folk ethos” and that is how songwriter and lead-singer Jay Malinowski prefers it. “I grew up listening to the Clash, and Asian Dub Foundation, alongside my parents record collection of Paul Simon and Bob Dylan.” Says Malinowski. “My hero was Joe Strummer, and I wanted to emulate him when I was young. I loved how Joe took you somewhere that was familiar but strange. That’s where I hope our music lives.” Those who have covered Bedouin’s music are a testament to this, ranging from electronic superstar Diplo, to Grammy-award winning Country artist Sturgill Simpson, to England’s punk-folk laureate Frank Turner and Los Angeles punk-ska saviours The Interrupters.

    The breakthrough Sounding A Mosaic was followed by Street Gospels (2007), which brought them numerous awards. Their fourth album Light the Horizon (2010) featured hits such as Mountain Top, Elongo and Brutal Hearts. Their next album was MASS (2019), which was a journey through the worlds of New Orleans jazz, afro-pop, electronic music and gospel, reflecting the band's creative rebirth, influenced by the cities and musicians that surrounded them. The album also features the Preservation Hall Jazz Band from New Orleans and a children's choir from Vancouver. Their latest album, We Will Meet in a Hurricane was released in 2022.

    Bedouin Soundclash has toured the world over the years, sharing the stage with artists such as No Doubt, Ben Harper, Damian Marley, The Roots, The Interrupters, Gogol Bordello, Bad Brains, Frank Turner and Thievery Corporation. They will bring this diverse musical world to Budapest on 12 June at the Turbina. Tickets for the concert go on sale from 16 April at 11 am.