Underhill Festival – The Road to the Balkans

Set yourself south to the heartland of Wiltshire on the 30th of July, and you will find yourself amidst the Balkan themed burrows of Underhill Festival. Our Balkanized woodland shall be the first official checkpoint to kick start The Balkan Rally, where with the sound of a gun shot on the 31st of July, our motor fueled cargos shall depart on a round robin trip of Best of British destruction across Europe. This jet-set clatter of beaten up wagons and off road wasters will be drifting far from home shores, where with flags raised high, they will embark upon their wayfarer wanderings. Let us hope that our euro-trippers will eventually return, as the allure of livestock grazing and tribal fusion belly dancing in the Balkan Valleys, could well become their permanent fixture. So with a fraught journey ahead, would it not be an injustice if we failed our troops in a decent send off? Well suffice to say your high command was on the case – expect no more than a night of gypsy twisted disco and four to the floor rhythm, with a cinematic haven as your playground.

So what’s in store…?

BALKANRAMA!

Alejandro Toledo and the Magic Tombolinos are responsible for the inception of Scottish club-night Balkanrama! Over the years they have brought homegrown Balkan bands and DJ’s into the heart of their project, creating a barrage of rattling drums and gypsy jazz infused ferocity on the dance-floor. Balkanarama’s nights have been described as a “Hot Balkan Instrumental Orgy” – this comes as no surprise when you see what’s in store.

‘BALKANRAMA! fuses virtuoso live performance on traditional Balkan instruments with DJs spinning contemporary Balkan Beats, all accompanied by films, visuals, exquisite Gypsy belly dancing, and free shots of delicious plum brandy! BALKANARAMA brings together the best from the diverse musical traditions of the Balkans: from sweet yearning polyphonic singing to up-beat riotous gypsy brass mayhem, providing for an incredible experience!’

THE PELSKI ARENA

No ethno wig-out of such proportions could go unnoticed on such familiar stomping territory – I used to live mere minutes from this picturesque picnic spot. So if I’m going down to the woods today it’ll be nice to know the surprise will be branded with a familiar seal of approval, and I hope it will be no surprise that the PELSKI ARENA is packed with an eclectic mix of an up-and-coming talent.

Lastly, here’s a couple of jaunty, Balkan-themed beats to get you in the mood

Malente & Dex – Gipsy Kings feat. Analogik

Buscemi – Sahib Balkan

Kal – Mozzarella (Gaeten Fabri Remix)

Crookers – Gypsy P

Pizetta feat. Reagadelica – Klezmer (Alvaro Arabic Nights Remix)