Colombo welcomes the music of the world

Colombo is already a hub of musical activity; from the sounds of the street vendors to late night jamming sessions by lesser-known bands, the city throbs with the beat of vibrant lives. From August 23rd to 27th, the city’s music will take on a decidedly eclectic flavour as the much-awaited “Sense and Soul Colombo Music Festival” hits 10 different locations across the city with its collection of diverse talent and sound.

“Spirit the Competition” comes as a preliminary competition for the festival and is being conducted by music directors Andre and Dinali David from DAPA and is sponsored by MAS Holdings. It will also see the presence of record labels such as Sony BMG, Universal Music Group, World Wide Records and Talent Scout experts “The Fridge” from Dubai assessing the competitors while professors of music travelling out of Oslo, Boston and Pennsylvania supporting the competition will be conducting workshops as well. Spirit the Competition will act as a talent search for locals belonging to every genre of performance; the chosen few will have the rare chance of performing with international artists at the festivals. Superior talent also has the chance of being “discovered” by the international record labels present. The competition’s second audition for which entries have been closed will be held on Tuesday 3rd July at the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (Opposite the Cinnamon Grand).

Featuring over 100 artists, and the presence of the record labels and talent scouts, the Colombo Music Festival will be an amalgamation of world music and local talent. The Colombo Music Festival will see international artists from 16 countries performing in their respective genres, as well as a cross-section of Sri Lanka’s best talent. There will also be a series of workshops connecting the youth with performers, choreographers and label partners.

The event is organized by Mantra Mood, an organization that is dedicated to the cause of music and supported by the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, Sri Lanka Tourism, M’ Entertainment and the Water’s Edge. Based on the concepts of music festivals across the world, the four days will see a colourful programme including the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, the Festival Village which will showcase motivational interviews one-on-one with artiste and unique concerts presented by local and international artistes. The Galle Face Green, dubbed the ‘Youth Park’, will showcase trilingual performances by popular Sri Lankan names and bands from neighbouring countries. The Nelum Pokuna, National Museum in Colombo, Sivan Kovil, Park Street Mews, and Barefoot Gallery will be some of the additional venues, while Host Hotels such as the Taj, Galadari, the Hilton Colombo and the Colombo Courtyard are all preparing to not just host but showcase events, maximizing the feeling of this festival.    

Strictly adhering to the principle that music marks no boundaries, the Colombo Music Festival and its organizers is adamant in promoting the concepts of multi-ethnicity and diversity, in terms of performances as well as participation. While international artists will be adding colour to the programme, local talent-both established and otherwise-will be given the highest importance. With its accompanying food festivals and entertainment, the atmosphere will be pure carnival with music education and creating a better-integrated society through music as the final goal. Come August, the Sense and Soul Colombo Music Festival will have Colombo moving to the rhythm of the sounds of the world.