There are hardly any better ways with which to illustrate the concept of ‘upbeat’ than by narrating a TootArd show. The band, hailing from the Golan Heights, with its heartening music, are the best answer to the decades of political troubles and social struggles burdening the region, and one of the most uplifting ways to end one month and enter into a new one.

That’s why we enjoyed every second of TootArd’s latest London show – part of a broader eight-leg European tour meant to introduce and spread the sound of their recently released second album titled Laissez Passer.

If you’re a long-time follower or a last-minute addition to the rank of their fans, the quintet put you at ease in no time. Their positive attitude, up-tempo tunes and setlist, which draw plenty from Laissez Passer but also not forgetting their debut Nuri Andaburi, were the most evident qualities of the Rich Mix show, but there was even more to love.

The five musicians from the small mountain town of Majdal Shams displayed on stage a natural, almost instinctive synergy – the kind of teamwork that you can develop only by playing and living together with your band mates since you were little more than a child.

As a matter of fact, that’s the story of TootArd: a group which grew up (and is still growing up) in parallel with its members and their friendships together. A group that is still cultivating its sound today, ripening and flowering it from the early Syrian reggae played seven years ago to a more rock-ish approach sprouting from Saharan desert rock and traditional Middle Eastern seeds.

Then there’s their spontaneity. They debuted by playing in front of friends and that’s how they still consider their audience, something which rarely happens in today’s London music scene. Since the moment they jumped onto the Rich Mix stage playing “Jeena”, arguably their most easy-going song, there was no halt to the freewheeling and breezy mood.

At times, there’s no need to look for secrets or magic formulas behind a band’s success, just look at how much the musicians enjoy playing their music.

Event Review: Tootard @ Electrowerkz [London; Thursday 24th March 2022]

Rami and Hasan, the Syrian duo of brothers, have just finished their London show at the exciting and packed Electrowerkz tucked behind the main streets of Angel. As the last notes from the 80s-sounding synths echo out into the crowd, it feels as though the floor could fall through from the…

Artists: TootArd

Safe & Sounds: Safe & Sounds #96 – Hasan Nakhleh (TootArd)

This Corona stuff really sucks ey! Since we might all be bound by borders for a while, we’d like to come together and share some happiness in the shape of a playlist or mix! In the next days and weeks, check out Safe & Sounds, where we will figuratively introduce you…

Artists: Hasan Nakhleh , Safe and Sounds , TootArd

Album Review: TootArd – Migrant Birds [Glitterbeat Records; May 2020]

Tootard is one of my favourite bands, their combination of Middle Eastern tonalities: the maqqam scales, with Caribbean reggae and western funk and disco – is not only original, but innovative.  Migrant Birds is their third studio album, out on the hit churners Glitterbeat Records. The brother duo Hasan and…

Artists: TootArd

London Gig Guide (June 2019)

At times, we are the first to lose track of how many exciting music events happen in London each month, so we have decided to offer you some sort of “public musical service”, meant for all the locals and passers-by, with the aim of suggesting where to listen to some…

Artists: Aar Manta , Afrikan Boy , Ayanna Witter-Johnson , Bcuc , Carleen Anderson , Dj Khalab , Femina , Guts , Isaac Birituro , Isaac Birituro & The Rail Abandon , Jambinai , Judi Jackson , Killah Priest , Kodjovi Kush & Afrospot Orchesta , Nicola Cruz , Nuri , Reginald Omas Mamode lV , Sama , Shkoon , Simo Lagnawi , Skabba , Tarantola , Tenesha The Wordsmith , Terri Walker , The Rolling Shakers , TootArd , Yolanda Brown

Mixes: Groovalizacion Radio Best Albums 2017

Last year Groovalizacion Radio selected monthly the best albums for you. What better way to celebrate the new year than looking back at these fine albums from 2017? Out of our selections, we distilled a top 20 from the past year. The higher the album is ranked, the more it is supported by our…

Artists: Bargou 08 , Blay Ambolley , Dem Juju Poets , Doña Onete , Eddie Palmieri , Groovalizacion Radio , La Mambanegra , Lagartijeando , Magin Diaz , Msafiri Zawose , Nidia Gongora , Oghene Kologbo , Orchestra Baobab , Orchestre Mangelepa , Oumou Sangaré , Quantic , Rio Mira , Sibusile Xaba , Son Palenque , They Must Be Crazy , TootArd