A few hours ago, Cairokee and the Cairo Celebration Choir and Orchestra (CCCO) conducted by Nayer Nagui concluded their phenomenal performance at Saladin Citadel.
This is considered one of the earliest orchestral cooperations with underground artists. Also, Cairokee stands on the top of the Egyptian underground music scene, also, the band was the first underground band to be internationally recognized.
So, watching this concert and seeing an underground music band while combining forces with orchestra; a strange question comes to mind which is the process of adaptation.
The first song the band performed was “Helmi Ana” which was taken from “Matloub Zaaem,” one of the most successful albums by the band. The authentic sound of guitars and drums was backed by semi-epic orchestral sound with drums, flutes, harp, violins, and the voices of the well-organized chanting of choirs.
However, there was a problem related to the organization of sounds on the stage. Sometimes, the voice of Amir Eid, the singer, was lower than the music, too low to have the ability to recognize words. The same mood somehow continued with the second song “Noqta Bidaa.”
After that, everything started to be more fabulous as if the band members and all choirs participants set themselves free of concern, and decided to move the performance to a higher and unforgettable experience.
Those aspirations were very clear with “El Khat Dah Khati” which saw the appearance of folk percussions (Duf) and more oriental-influenced tunes on the stage. This song marked the first hyper interaction of fans.
Next, amusing tunes of keys and catchy calm and ambient mood covered the venue for paving the way to “Hatlina Be El Baai Liban.” The song was followed by a special song to Eid which is “Laila” which was presented in a catchy semi-romantic mood by strings.
The next half of the concert was more beautiful, more well-performed, and it was praised more by the audience. Starting from “El Seka Shimal Fi Shimal,” this song was so dynamic as the tempo became faster and heavier. Moreover, the mood of the song was somehow cheerful and rich with harmonious sounds from folk vibes and standard orchestral melodies.
“Ana Sout Eli Metbaai” was one of the most beautiful pieces introduced during the concert, especially the vocals work; amusing vocals and catchy solo job.
There was huge and warm interaction between Eid and Hawari during vocalizing. The guitarist continued his influential performance by “Ma Aaad Sagheran” which is a musical adaptation for one of Dr. Ahmed Khaled Tawfiq’s songs. So, Hawari was one of the factors that enhanced the success of the concert.
Shortly, Cairokee gifted their fans with a harmonious and glorious performance for one of their early songs which is “Laken Ehsasi.” It carries more rock sounds that drove the listeners to detect the missing rock melodic vibes in recent stuff by the band, as if the band recalled the young man who witnessed in Cairo streets carrying their guitars ten years ago.
In the “Dinasour” song which followed “Laken Ehsasi,” the band added the folk “Mizmar” and it added a more cheerful mood. Next, the famous “Marbout Be Astik” which was introduced in a new orchestral version enriched the Avant-Garde atmosphere.
After that, Cairokee performed beautifully and harmoniously “Abyad Ya Eswed,” before the venue filled with greeting and chanting to the band with performing their unforgettable “Esbat Makanak,” and actually the presence of Zap Tharwat on the stage enriched the impressive performance of the song.
Finally, the band concluded their performance with two songs: “Kont Faker,” and “Kol Haga Betaadi.” Through these two songs, the band delivered to their audiences messages of resistance and hope against depression, illness, bleakness, fear, and concern that everyone experiences due to the pandemic. That’s why, there was more spiritual, colorful vibes, and serenity, and unity. Everyone on the stage is smiling, enjoying, performing, clapping their hands, and cooperating.
This performance proved that Cairokee is still one of the most influential underground music bands in Egypt, and they still have a lot to introduce to the scene as they presented the possibility of bridging between the grand symphonic style, and their contemporary form of music.
Such a step can encourage more bands in the scene to introduce their songs in more revolutionary forms. Also, this mix between classic, and modern can attract more audiences to these kinds of music, and drive bands to improve their music and performance.
Finally, the CCCO is an honorable and glorious ensemble, the whole musicians introduced the best of each instrument and delivered unforgettable, and easy-to-catch sounds to the audience. The participants’ efforts to make this classic and great music to be more accessible to the young people who listen to underground music are highly obvious. Both Cairokee and Cairo Celebration Choir and Orchestra succeeded in leaving a historical and shining mark in the history of the underground scene.
