Electric sound waves to hit the shores of Negombo

From 17 till 19 December, the best talent from the UK, US and Maldives will perform on the beautiful beaches of Negombo.

The scene is set for the Electric Peacock Festival, a musical spectacular that will bring the best of the global music festival scene to Sri Lanka for the first time.

The organisers hope it will not only bring truly global music to Sri Lanka, but will also create a positive impact that is in keeping with the country’s booming tourism industry.

The festival line-up will feature a number of artists from a variety of genres including Roger Sanchez, the world renowned, Grammy Award winning Superstar DJ and party icon; The Duke Spirit, a London-based rock sensation; Covert Boom, a breakbeat/hip hop/indie group from Herefored, UK; and Fasylive, a progressive rock/metal band from the Maldives; as well as many more.

On top of the great music, the experience will be unique and world-class because of the host of additional activities and attractions that will feature throughout. These will include kite-surfing, installation art, karaoke, face-painting and much more. All the while there is also the option of just relaxing on the beach, with a cold drink, enjoying the music and atmosphere with friends.

In addition, it’s not just about having fun, the Electric Peacock Festival is supporting worthy causes. Speaking at a press conference held at Colombo’s trendiest night club Amuseum, at the Galle Face Hotel, Festival Director Tasha Marikkar said that the event aims to raise funds for two exemplary charities; the Grassroots Foundation, which does work towards alleviating poverty in rural areas of Sri Lanka, and the Sunshine Charity, which runs a day-care centre in Trincomalee for children affected by the Tsunami and the war.

“The Electric Peacock Festival is part of our greater vision, so we are really excited to have such an amazing line up of DJs and bands playing, helping us to create awareness about great music while also benefiting charitable causes. As you can see even Amuseum, the venue for the press conference to announce the launch the festival, was carefully selected, so that we could give everyone a taste of the quality that is to come,” says Tasha.

As far as the music is concerned, the festival goers are in for a world-class treat. Likely to delight is the much-anticipated, first-time performance in Sri Lanka, of Roger Sanchez, who has had legendary performances at the world’s most exclusive events.

With his chart-topping hits, award winning radio show and acclaimed compilation series Release Yourself, Roger is still soaring at the top of his game; spanning 3 decades on a meteoric journey from underground cult figure to master of the global club stage.

Among the Sri Lankan talent featured at the festival will be the internationally recognised DJ Nihal, who hosts a show on the UK’s BBC Radio1 and has played numerous top music festivals, including Bestival and Glastonbury; and well as other celebrated Sri Lankan DJs.

Another highlight of the festival will be a performance by The Duke spirit, an English rock band that will be performing in its first ever Asian appearance. Formed in London in 2003, the band has steadily gained recognition and popularity over the years.

After headlining tours of the UK, the band’s album was released in the U.S. and they found themselves travelling through America, including a highly praised performance at the Coachella festival in California.

Their sound is considered to be influenced by the alternative noise of 1980s/90s guitar bands such as Sonic Youth and My Bloody Valentine, the rock n roll of bands such as The Cramps and The Gun Club, early R&B, garage, psychadelia and even Motown. The band is currently in the U.K. writing and recording its third album.

Also to look forward to are the up-and-coming Indie trio, Trophy Wife, from Oxford. Consisting of a drummer, guitarist and violinist, Trophy Wife are definitely in the running to become the UK’s Best New Indie Act of 2011, having been featured in the prestigious UK publication The Guardian and having been described as “international, instrumental and incredible”.

The trio identifies their music as a kind of “ambitionless office disco,” and according to Fame Magazine, their “sparse rhythms melt around guitars, augmented by Jody Prewett’s fragile, restrained vocals.”

Another noteworthy act is Fasy, guitarist and founder of Fasylive, who is currently on tour in the UK.  Fasylive is primarily a Maldivian band consisting of a guitarist, bassist and drummer who have performed various genres of music internationally.

Fasylive are widely regarded as having reintroduced rock to the Maldives, and have subsequently become role models to Maldivian youth. In a recent ‘Emergenza’ competition Fasylive achieved a place as one of the Best Five Bands in London, and Fasy achieved the award for Best Guitarist.

“With such great talent performing, the Electric Peacock Festival 2010 is sure to make its mark this year,” says Festival Producer Rajiv Mukuthan. “So head over to Negombo and be ready for the sun, the sand, the music and the vibe, because the best of the world’s festival culture is coming to Sri Lanka,” he says, inviting anyone and everyone who wishes to have a blast this holiday season.

Passes will be available at the Commons and the Grant Group’s office, for more information please visit the festival website, www.ElectricPeacockFestival.com or call the festival hotline, 0722339339.