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GF on the road
globalfest on the road

About globalFEST On The Road

globalFEST On The Road is a flexible touring and curating concept focusing on the spectacular variety of artists gF works with who represent diverse global styles, from traditional and folk to hybrid acts that incorporate classical, rock, jazz, electronic dance music, and hip-hop influences. Each gFOTR is specially designed for an individual festival or presenter’s criteria and need. 

On the Road furthers globalFEST’s mission of expanding audience reach and encouraging the growth of market-rate fees for artists and musicians.
Facing dual challenges of the pandemic, along with hardening of international borders, globalFEST, for the first time, teamed with NPR Music’s Tiny Desk concerts to present exclusive video performances by 16 artists via NPR Music’s digital platforms, in a series entitled NPR Music’s Tiny Desk meets globalFEST.

Thank you for 4 incredible nights of celebration and global music! If you were unable to watch all four nights, catch up now on YouTube:
Rewatch all four nights:
Night OneHere
Night TwoHere
Night ThreeHere
Night FourHere
globalfest 2021
Featuring 12 new artists, as well as 4 globalFEST Alums, the four-night series (Jan 11-14) was hosted by African superstar Angélique Kidjo, who performed at the inaugural edition of globalFEST in 2004.

“Since the early 2000s, globalFEST has been my high point for uncovering new music from around the world. The annual NYC gathering inspired me to bring many of my discoveries to the Tiny Desk,” said Bob Boilen, creator of NPR Music’s Tiny Desk series. “Korea’s SsingSsing, the Palestinian electronics of 47Soul, and Jamaica’s Brushy One String have been a few stellar discoveries. And though we can’t gather together in a club this year, I’m thrilled that team globalFEST will bring new remarkable talents to our Tiny Desk (home) concert series, and we can all celebrate the joys of these expansive talents together.”

You can support globalFEST's continuing work here.
globalfest performance
"The importance of a buzzed-about show at globalFEST should not be underestimated"
-Billboard Magazine
photo by Sachyn Mital
The flagship festival at the core of globalFEST gives audiences the opportunity to experience extraordinary artists from all over the world – and around the corner – all in one night (in normal times). globalFEST promotes global and American regional music traditions, creates opportunities for artists, inspires discovery for arts professionals to present artists from diverse cultures, and introduces new music to the public. globalFEST believes that music can be a driving force toward a society that values cultural diversity as a source of unity rather than division.

Tours and cultural exchanges that result from globalFEST showcases have helped to build an ever-widening audience for global music and, by extension, an increase in international cooperation and collaboration. You can support globalFEST's continuing work here. globalFEST co-directors are Shanta Thake-Kriegsmann, Isabel Soffer, and Bill Bragin

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Read NPR Music's review of gF 2020: Our Top Discoveries From globalFEST 2020
Read the New York Times review of gF 2020: At Globalfest, Rowdy Sounds From Around the World
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globalFEST is supported by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Québec Government Office in New York.

globalFEST is part of JanArtsNYC.org and its media partner, the NYC Mayors Office of Media and Entertainment.
janartsnyc

gFOTR has brought its curatorial vision to multiple festivals and venues, including:

A stage at SXSW, the U.S.’s most influential independent music conference and festival that takes place in Austin, TX.

Bonnaroo, one of the country’s largest and most beloved music festivals which takes place over four days with 150 performances on ten stages. gF artists performed alongside luminaries such as Radiohead, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kenny Rogers, Bad Brains, Fun, Questlove, Bon Iver, and St. Vincent.

Festival d’île de France, one of France’s most important festivals, invited gF to create a day-long “New York Day” to celebrate renowned musical contributions New York artists have made to the world. gF brought eight groups representing diverse styles including gospel, klezmer punk, salsa, dixieland jazz, Garifuna, Native American soul, and Colombian jazz to more than 4,000 concert goers.

In 2016, On The Road expanded to include gF’s first national tour, Creole Carnival, booked by CAMI Music. Featuring artists Emeline Michel (Haiti), Brushy One-String (Jamaica), and Casuarina (Brazil), the tour went to over 25 cities in the U.S. and Canada. In 2018, The New Golden Age of Latin Music took the US by storm with Las Cafeteras, Orkesta Mendoza and Flor de Toloache.

We want to curate your next event! Write to info@globalfest.org for details.
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On the Road Past artists

see all past events