We’re pleased to confirm that a squad from Poetry on the Picket Line will be reading their work at our Festival. Normally found on picket lines espousing the spirit of solidarity!
We can now confirm that ZELT will be joining Joe Solo, Maddy Carty and Poetry on the Picket Line in performing at our Festival.
ZELT is an East London-based, Anglo-Turkish three-piece. As an internationalist socialist band, they play a SWANA region-inspired mix of Turkish/Middle Eastern folk combined with strong post-punk and electronic musical influences. The current set features their take on Palestinian, Georgian and Turkish songs alongside their own compositions. Their music has recently featured on the ‘Barbican Recommends’ playlist.
Singer and darbuka player, Semra Bulut, is a regular on the London ex-pat music scene playing percussion with Bulkan folk act Balamuc (a session of whose was recently broadcast on BBC Radio 3), alongside vocal duties with the London Bulgarian Choir. Semra is joined on drums/electronics by Phil Seddon, a recent trustee of Waltham Forest Migrant Action (who they often raise money for) and guitarist Dave Adams, an active member of Newham NEU.
The trio are set to release ‘Istanbul’u Dinliyorum’ – their debut album as a trio – this October and will be playing songs from that release at the festival.