'Captivating' acts to play South Asian music festival

New Sounds Festival was first held at the Arnolfini arts centre in Bristol in 2023

A renowned sitar player and an all-female Bhangra group are set to headline a festival celebrating South Asian Music.

New Sounds Festival will be held in over two weekends in Bristol and will feature live performances and DJs.

The festival aims to showcase the best "emerging and established talent" from the British South Asian Music scene and will be held in venues across the city.

The events are run by the Bristol-based charity, Asian Arts Agency, who have been promoting and supporting contemporary and traditional South Asian music & arts since 2006.

St George's concert hall will host two performances from "captivating" and "genre-breaking" artists.

Sitar player Roopa Panesar will present her 'ATMA project,' following her recent performances at London's Queen Elizabeth Hall, and Diwali celebrations in Leicester.

Later that evening, drummer producer and composer, Sarathy Korwar will host a "special launch show" for his new album made up entirely of live drums, drum-triggered electronics and human voices.

"It's inspiring to see how their creative journeys have evolved, each now performing nationally and internationally, yet rooted in the talent development programmes we helped nurture," Asian Arts Agency Director, Jaswinder Singh said.

Roopa Panesar [left] and Sarathy Korwar will play St George's concert hall 2nd November

Bristol Beacon will host the festival's new music series celebrating the history of Bhangra culture.

As well as performances from the city's longest-running Bhangra band, RSVP, the showcase will include introductory workshops with an emphasis on "partying Punjabi style."