SATURDAY 3 SEPTEMBER
Melkweg (Oude Zaal), 21.00, €15 + membership

We’re a long way from the Mongolian grasslands, but there’s no denying that there’s a real bond that’s grown between the Netherlands and these Inner Mongolian/Chinese folk punk boys. In the past couple of years, they’ve visited these shores numerous times, growing from a weird cult act that couldn’t communicate with the audience beyond gestures or with the occasional help of a translator, to being a reliably quirky throat singing rock act. They’ve done the festivals (from Lowlands to Roots Open Air), they’ve done the formal gig at Tropentheater (positioned almost as an academic museum exhibit), and they’ve done the drink-fueled punk folk thing at Paradiso (and next Melkweg).

And as we’ve stated a few times in all that time, Hanggai is far from being either a novelty act or a token ‘world music’ act. Sure their songs of horses, great plains and strong booze is masked by language, but their blend of folk, rock and the remnants of their punk past are an international calling card. As for the traditional costumes and throat singing, it’s just a natural fit. Oh, and they’re far from being that museum piece once propositioned by the Tropentheater; rather they’re a Mongolian party band perfect for a Saturday night.

Anyone up for some freebie throat singing? We have 3×2 tickets to give away for the show. Email win@unfoldamsterdam.nl with your details and NNNNNNNNGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH in the subject.