Qawwali Shrine

Join us for a sonic exploration of Qawwali music inspired by the emotional reactions of listeners, as we share some of the fascinating results from the research & development phase of the pioneering Qawwali Shrine project.

Using BEAST technology (Birmingham Electro-Acoustic Sound Theatre), melodic fragments of Qawwali will be reworked, layered, stretched and disembodied creating a compelling 360 degree soundscape that will immerse you in a whole new experience of raw Qawwali sounds. Surrender to heightened states of emotions and allow your senses to unfold as you become increasingly enveloped in the sounds flying around you.

Ticket holders are invited to attend an informal drinks reception before the sharing, 6.30pm-7.15pm in the Terrace Gallery at mac.

Qawwali is a form of Sufi devotional music with a tradition that stretches back more than 700 years. Qawwalis tend to begin gently and build steadily to a very high energy level in order to induce hypnotic states and a sensation of the sublime, both among the musicians and within the audience.

The performance is part of Qawwali Shrine – a pioneering pilot project taking place until April 2017 which is mapping physiological, psychological and emotional responses to Qawwali music and exploring whether states of enlightenment and feelings such as Rasa, Fana or ‘the sublime’ can be experienced, measured and artistically represented through new technology.