10 Intimate Live Performance Series Spotlighting MENA Artists
SceneNoise, Zaid Kreshan, Jan 2023
“One of the pioneering MENA live session platforms, BalaFeesh has been delivering intimate shows of independent regional artists since its inception in 2013. Founded and hosted by Jordanian musician Hana Malhas, BalaFeesh’s YouTube channel has amassed over 45 million views, hosting artists such as Hayajan, Aziz Maraka and El Morabba3.”
Bala Feesh Concert Series Celebrates ‘Free Expression of Music’
Ammon News / Jordan Times, by Pascale Müller Jul, 2013
“Forget rules, labels, genres, languages — this is a place for the free expression of music,” Bala Feesh organisers wrote on their Facebook page.
“This has been my dream for a long time,” said singer-songwriter Malhas. The artist, who calls Amman as well as the city of Ann Arbour in the US her home, refers to herself as a “nomad”, moving between those two worlds.
Her lyrics commute between English and Arabic, her idea of music as an encounter.
The venue itself was part of this discovery and adventure, with limited seats and a stage set up between working desks and tents, bringing the performers closer to the young audience.
“Bala Feesh is a series of intimate live shows that features independent musicians in the Arab world... caught on tape,” according to the organisers, who added that the shows give “a chance to experience the artist up close and personal”.
On the show’s first night, the three artists found common ground despite hailing from different musical backgrounds.
With her 2010 debut album, “Shapeshift”, Malhas already showed that music is not limited by boundaries of genre, time or space. “Shapeshift” was recorded with 17 American and Jordanian artists over two time zones.
“Music speaks the language of Babel,” a young member of the audience wrote on the event’s Facebook page after the show. “Today was inspirational thanks to you guys,” she wrote to the artists.
In the end, it is only “for listeners. For storytelling. For a good time”, according to Bala Feesh crewmembers, who intend to continue this series of independent concerts during the summer. "
Five Great Bala Feesh Performances You Need To See
StepFeed, Mar 2017
“Jordan-based concert series Bala Feesh has brought in some of the best alternative musicians from around the Arab world over the past few years. Founded and hosted by Jordanian musician Hana Malhas, Bala Feesh records live performances in front of a select audience in an intimate setting. Each artist performs at least one track with Hana during their performance. Hana will be part of our panel discussion on building a grassroots music scene at STEP Music on April 7th.”
BalaFeesh: Tamer Abu Ghazaleh
7iber, May, 2014
"بعيداً عن الحفلات التقليديّة والموسيقى المسجّلة والمنسّقة في اسطوانات، بلا فيش يقّدم لكم عروضاً حيّة لموسيقيين مستقلين من العالم العربي. لقاء بلا قيود بكل معنى الكلمة: عروض بلا فيش لا تلتزم بأي قواعد محددة، ولا تفرض اعتبارات لأنواع ولغات وتصنيفات الموسيقى، فهي مكان للتعبير الموسيقي الحر. بلا فيش قصص ترويها الموسيقى، تضمن لكم وقتاً ممتعاً وألحاناً لم تعهدوها بلا فيش يقدّم باستضافة الفنانة هنا ملحس في زاوية الجلوس المريحة في خرابيش في عمّان. سيعرض لكم حبر فيديوهات أسبوعية من حفلات بلا فيش,
“Bala Feesh is a series of intimate live shows that features independent musicians from the Arab world caught on tape. Forget rules, labels, genres, languages– this is a place for free expression by music. Stripped-down sets. Unlikely collaborations. A chance to experience the artist up close and personal. Hosted by Hana Malhas in the comfort of Kharabeesh’s Living Room. 7iber presents you with weekly postings of Bala Feesh’s performances.”
