Hiba Tawaji is a well-known professional Lebanese artist. She surfaced as a professional singer and actress after her collaboration with prominent producer and composer Oussama Rahbani back in 2007. Hiba Michel Tawaj was born on December 10, 1987, in Achrafieh, Beirut, and grew up in the Elissar, Matn District, Lebanon.

Hiba Tawaji’s  Repertoire

She has in her repertoire 3 albums and 4 musicals all of them produced, directed or adapted by Rahbanis. Tawaji is widely known for her strong and distinguished feminine vocal skills. She sings in Arabic, English and French and has adopted several styles from oriental and opera to pop, funk and jazz. She is also a coloratura soprano with a four octave vocal rang. She also showcased her acting skills during an acclaimed musical play in 2011 “Don Quixote,” by Marwan, Ghadi and Oussama Rahbani.

At The Voice

Hiba Tawaji just blew everyone away at France’s The Voice. She started off singing Michel Legrand’s “Les Moulins De Mon Coeur” before going into her own Lebanese version of the song “La Bidayi Wala Nihayi” prompting all four judges to turn for her.

Hiba then continued singing effortlessly before ending her performance with a high note that got all 4 judges to give her a standing ovation, as well as have the audience attending the taping rise to their feet to applause her.

A staple that goes well with great music is the ever popular music festival. This year, why not forgo a wet, rainy and mud-laden adventure for a drier city experience? Festivals like the Exit festival in Serbia and world-famous Reading and Leeds Festivals in the UK provide a great time, but they can also be a very muddy experience. Camping offers a good time, but just imagine how much nicer it would be to sleep in a real bed, with clean sheets and a pillow for a change?

There are many city music festivals that offer great times and comfortable accommodations in hostels. Check out a great festival accommodation guide here. Enjoying music and making friends provides memories to last a lifetime. Memories made while not having to put up with mud and rain soaked clothes are even better.

The Bilbao BBK Live Festival

This festival was nominated several times for best festival awards by the UK Festival awards. Since its first year in 2006, the Bilbao BBK Live festival in Spain, on the slopes of Mount Cobetas, has offered festival goers a comfortable and fun music enjoyment experience. The venue was built specifically for the festival. Past concerts have included names like Guns N’ Roses, Pearl Jam in 2010, and Coldplay in 2011. In fact, Coldplay broke an audience attendance record by attracting over 37,000 excited fans.

Wireless Festival in London

Wireless Festival began in 2005 and has since become one of London’s premier music festivals. Famous name acts like Depeche Mode, Counting Crows, Kanye West and more recently, Pink, Black Eyed Peas, Bruno Mars and Rihanna have been thrilling audiences on stages at Olympic Park for the past seven years. This year, the Wireless Festival features Justin Timberlake and Jay-Z.

Lollapalooza in Chicago

Lollapalooza music festival takes place every summer in Grant Park in historic Chicago. Begun in 1991 as a way for the alternative rock group known as Jane’s Addiction to have a final farewell tour, the show has since taken off. The idea that began small turned into a musical festival that sees fans in attendance today from all corners of the world.

This rolling expanse of land sits on 115 pretty acres and features several stages, along with a diversity in musical artists that changes every year. Fans enjoy a wealth of musical styles including alternative rock, hip-hop, electronic music, rock, roots music and reggae. Music has been featured by artists like Nine Inch Nails, The Cure, Mumford and Sons, Steve Aoki, Eric Church and Regan and Sara.

One of the best places to stay is the new guest house called Urban Holiday Lofts, in urban Chicago. Rooms are available from two person accommodations to eight person rooms, and feature either shared or private baths. This hostel also gives guests some great amenities like free continental breakfast, free transportation from the airport, train or bus station, free WiFi, free parking and a free concierge service. Unexpected amenities that are all found at hostel prices. For more hostels close to Lollapalooza visit HostelBookers.com.

Electric Zoo In New York

New York’s famous Randall Island Park features a fun, entertaining music festival called Electric Zoo with acts like Tiesto. All genres of electronic music are featured, with appearances by well-known international DJ’s. Live acts come from all over the world to play this festival. It was named by many print publications as a top American music event. Held every year over Labour Day weekend, this festival has grown substantially.
Festivals offer great entertainment, opportunities for making friends and an enjoyable time to be remembered for a lifetime. Experiencing great music in a mud free way is the best way to enjoy the festivities.

Where Are The Roots Bongo Band From?

The Roots Bongo Band are from The Gambia and are the first Reggae band with a female German singer. On January 7th 2012 the band released their debut album ‘Leaders of Tomorrow’, reviewed as ‘Emotional, psychological and musical medicine for the masses. Their message with the album cover and the title: Leaders of tomorrow should be interpreted as follows: By bringing Africa and Europe closer together, to live in ‘peace and love’ we will be the ‘Leaders of tomorrow’!

Their music is meant to inspire people and make them realise their inner potential and strength, and to ‘Never give up’ however hard times may be!

The Roots Bongo Band – Nanding

Leaders of Tomorrow

For More Information

• Official Band Website

Where is Ariana Tikao From?

Ariana began her music career during 1993 in Christchurch, New Zealand with folk duo Pounamu and went on to launch her solo career during 2002. Her contempory Maori music is both beautiful and moving. Although now living in Wellington, her music is inspired and influenced by her Maori ancestry and the dramatic landscape of Te Waipounamu – The South Island of New Zealand.

I was recently introduced to her music via a Kiwi Facebook friend who had posted this song. I have since played this a number of times and enjoyed the videos on her website.

“Tuia” Ariana Tikao

For More Information

• Official Website