Report by Ingy Higazy
Tarabban, originally based in Malmö, Sweden, plays Arabic music that is infused with strong traditional Iraqi, Persian, and Egyptian musical styles.
Established in 2007 by Nadin AlKhalidi, Iraqi-Egyptian lead singer and saz player, Tarabband currently consists of musicians Gabriel Hermansson, Filip Runesson, Romain Coutama, and Dan Svensson.
Tarabband’s songs capitalise on a number of political and social issues in Egypt, Iraq, Palestine, and Lebanon.
The band’s latest album is entirely dedicated to a newly-wed Iraqi couple who, as AlKhalidi explained to her audience during the concert, have lost their newly-acquired house to the encroaching Islamic State (IS) forces.
Photos come from the rehearsals, concert and interview with Ahram Online
Photos: Mai Shaheen