Our annual celebration of South Asian music features live performances, DJs and much more, across Bristol and beyond; a showcase of the best in emerging and established talent. 

Jaswinder Singh, Asian Arts Agency CEO and Artistic Director, says: “New Sounds Festival was created to present and celebrate new South Asian music, bringing its breadth and diversity to audiences across Bristol and the Southwest.

Since launching in 2023, the festival has championed exciting new work and artists. This year’s programme features the launch and premiere of a new album by Jhonny Kalsi’s The Dhol Foundation at Bristol Beacon, a brand-new commission and premiere by British Asian clarinettist Arun Ghosh at Arnolfini, and the return of our morning Indian classical concert with Debasmita Bhattacharya, offering audiences a unique opportunity to experience morning ragas in an immersive setting.

We are also delighted to expand into Gloucester, where acclaimed sarod player Soumik Datta will present new work alongside conversations about music and climate change. The festival also offers music-making and drumming workshops to inspire young people.”

Event information is below.

The Dhol Foundation Saturday 14 November, Bristol Beacon
The Dhol Foundation celebrate the launch of their new album with this UK premiere show.
Founded by charismatic drummer Johnny Kalsi in 1989, the group have spent decades bringing the powerful sound of the Punjabi dhol to new audiences. Combining traditional drumming with rock, pop, drum and bass and electronic music, their music is rooted in tradition while embracing experimentation.
“Johnny Kalsi has done for the Dhol what Jimi Hendrix did for the guitar.” (Eastern Eye)  

Debasmita Bhattacharya & Zuheb Ahmed Khan: morning ragas Sunday 15 November, Arnolfini (11.30am)
In Indian classical music, ragas are traditionally associated with different times of the day. This concert draws on that rich tradition, offering audiences a unique opportunity to experience virtuoso sarod player Debasmita Bhattacharya performing a programme of morning ragas. Debasmita is accompanied by Zuheb Ahmed Khan, a classical tabla virtuoso of the highest order, whose playing is marked by his uncanny intuition and masterful improvisational dexterity. 

aaj kal trio Sunday 15 November, Arnolfini (7.30pm)
British Asian clarinettist Arun Ghosh is delighted to return to Bristol, presenting and premiering his new band ‘aaj kal trio’, which has been commissioned and produced by Asian Arts Agency. The trio features Shivraj Singh on double bass, and the visionary UK tabla player and percussionist Dalbir Singh Rattan.
“An upfront mix of South Asian melodies and western street-grooves” (Guardian) 

DJ workshops with Indian Man, Sunday 15 November, Arnolfini (2pm-5pm)
Led by Bristol-based electronic music producer, composer and DJ, Jay Singh, who performs as Indian Man, these fun, hands-on workshops are your chance to get behind the decks, experiment with mixing and discover how different sounds can come together — from South Asian musical traditions to contemporary beats, bhangra, Bollywood, Asian underground and beyond.

Soumik Datta, Tuesday 17 November, Gloucester Guildhall
Launching his new album, Melodies In Slow Motion,  with a powerful evening of music, sound design and storytelling from acclaimed sarod virtuoso Soumik Datta; the show explores themes of memory, migration and the climate crisis through rich sonic landscapes, field recordings and deeply emotive compositions.

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New Sounds is poised to be an extraordinary celebration of South Asian contemporary music and culture in Bristol.; we hope that you can join us.