Strummin' Foundation Celebrates 20 Years and Announces 2025 Events
The Strummin' Foundation recently celebrated a significant milestone with their "Strummin’ 20 Years of Gold" concert, held on November 8th and 9th, 2024, at St. Agatha’s Theatre. The event attracted a record-breaking audience and featured over 100 guitarists, singers, band members, and volunteers, all dressed in their finest attire. Proceeds from the concert were donated to Dr. Klown, an organization dedicated to bringing joy to children in hospitals through clown doctor visits.
Looking ahead, the foundation has announced the return of Akustika for their 10th concert, scheduled for March 7th and 8th, 2025, at Sala San Duminku in Valletta. This event will reunite the original lineup after a decade. Early bird tickets are expected to go on sale in mid-January 2025.
For more information or to get in touch with the Strummin' Foundation, you can email them at foundation@strummin.mt or send mail to their address: Strummin' Foundation, Santa Venera SVR 1580, Malta.
Baroque Meets Rock with BaRock
The Valletta Baroque Festival continues to break musical boundaries with the return of the much-anticipated BaRock concert.
Scheduled for 25 January 2025 at 8:30 PM at Teatru Salesjan, this fusion of Baroque and rock classics promises to be an unforgettable highlight of the festival.
Headlined by The Rock Troupers and the ProMużika Ensemble, the performance will reimagine iconic works by musical titans such as Johann Sebastian Bach, Jon Lord, Antonio Vivaldi, and even Pink Floyd. Audiences can expect a thrilling blend of Baroque precision and rock’s raw energy in an evening that pays homage to the pioneering spirit of Baroque Rock.
The BaRock programme draws on research by musicologist Sara Gulgass, exploring the Baroque Rock phenomenon that emerged in the 1960s. Combining the intricate counterpoint, fugues, and ostinato basslines of Baroque music with the electrifying beats and instrumentation of rock, this genre has produced unforgettable reinterpretations of classical works. Expect references to timeless pieces like Pachelbel’s Canon in D, used as the foundation for hits by artists ranging from Procol Harum to Aerosmith.
This year’s performance goes a step further, incorporating elements of progressive rock, with its extended solos and multi-movement compositions, alongside tributes to rock legends such as Keith Emerson and The Beatles.
The Rock Troupers, a powerhouse of Malta’s rock scene since 2014, will lead the charge with their dynamic lineup made up of Daryl Ebejer (vocals), Patrick Camilleri (drums), Robert Galea (bass), Josef “Fofi” Farrugia (keyboards), Sean Vukovic and Marc Galea (guitars).
Joining them are the virtuosos of the ProMużika Ensemble, including Sarah Spiteri and Tatjana Chircop (violins), Joseph Mallia (viola), Simon Abdilla Joslin (cello), Tom Armitage (piano/harpsichord) and Cliff Zammit Stevens (tenor).
Adding vocal depth to the event, KorMalta, Malta’s national choir, will enhance the Baroque-Rock fusion with their choral mastery.
The collaboration between The Rock Troupers and ProMużika began in 2022, earning widespread acclaim during the Valletta Baroque Festival. Their ability to seamlessly blend the grandeur of Baroque with the intensity of rock has since become a festival highlight, captivating audiences both in Malta and abroad.
The Rock Troupers, renowned for their electrifying performances at events like Rockestra and the Farsons Beer Festival, continue to push creative boundaries. Similarly, ProMużika has represented Malta on some of Europe’s most prestigious stages, including the Berliner Konzerthaus and Prague’s Estates Theatre, bringing their technical precision and artistic flair to every collaboration.
Date: Saturday, 25 January 2025
Time: 8:30 PM
Location: Teatru Salesjan, Sliema
Tickets: Available at Showshappening.com
For music lovers, this is a rare chance to experience the best of two worlds in one electrifying performance. Don’t miss BaRock 2025—where history meets innovation, and Baroque meets rock.
Haine and Thy Legion Bring Album Release Celebrations to The Garage
The Garage is set to erupt this February with two electrifying album launch events featuring Maltese metal powerhouses Haine and Thy Legion. Fans of heavy music are in for an unforgettable month as both bands debut their latest projects at the iconic venue.
Haine’s “Fertile Void” Album Launch
On Saturday, February 1, 2025, Haine will take the stage to unveil their highly anticipated first full-length album, Fertile Void. Known for their crushing riffs and raw intensity, Haine promises an evening of relentless energy and exclusive surprises for fans.
The night will kick off with an opening set by Halcyon, a local death metal act renowned for their ferocious performances. Attendees will have the chance to purchase Haine’s latest merchandise, including exclusive album bundles and pre-ordered physical copies of Fertile Void.
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, February 1, 2025
Time: Doors open at 20:30
Location: The Garage, Żebbuġ
Tickets: Available at the door
Thy Legion’s “Grand Cosmic Funeral” Release
Just weeks later, on Saturday, February 22, 2025, metal veterans Thy Legion will celebrate the launch of their fourth full-length album, Grand Cosmic Funeral. With over a decade of experience crafting epic and brutal soundscapes, Thy Legion’s latest release promises to be another stellar addition to their discography.
The event will feature support from Animamortua, ensuring an evening packed with ferocity and technical prowess. For €10, attendees will experience an unforgettable showcase of local talent, beginning with the first band at 21:00.
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, February 22, 2025
Time: Doors open at 20:30; first band begins at 21:00
Location: The Garage, Żebbuġ
Tickets: €10 at the door
Both events highlight the thriving Maltese metal scene and promise nights of unrelenting sound and community spirit. Whether you’re a devoted fan or new to the genre, The Garage is the place to be this February.
Berne Launches 789 Album with Live Shows and Environmental Advocacy Events This Week
Berne, the UK-based musical duo known for blending music with environmental advocacy, is set to captivate audiences with a series of meaningful events this week to celebrate the launch of their latest album, 789. The album takes its name from the 789 species that have gone extinct in the past 400 years, offering a powerful reflection on humanity's relationship with the planet, animals, and each other. Created in collaboration with EarthPercent, the project channels a portion of its royalties to environmental organizations, turning music into a force for change.
The album launch will be marked by two live performances at Offbeat Valletta, on Saturday, January 11, and Sunday, January 12, both starting at 8 PM. Fans can expect an immersive musical experience that brings 789’s themes to life, alongside Berne’s signature sound and heartfelt artistry. Tickets for the shows are available at https://shop.trackagescheme.com/event/berne-789-album-launch/.
Before these performances, Berne will join forces with Friends of the Earth Malta for the launch of Imagining a Fossil Free Malta, a creative zine envisioning a sustainable, fossil-free future for the island. The launch event takes place at Storeroom Ta' Xbiex on Thursday, January 9, at 7 PM, and will feature contributions from artists, writers, musicians, and even children. Berne, who contributed to the zine, will perform a couple of songs to support this inspiring project. More information about this event can be found at https://fb.me/e/5WVNaxMzC.
Berne invites fans to attend these events, share the message on social media, and join in celebrating the intersection of art and environmental responsibility. Whether in person or online, these moments promise to inspire action and reflection, showcasing how music can be a catalyst for positive change.
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