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Samanyolu at FRF '08

There’s going to be a whole lot of sexiness at Cafe De Paris on Saturday, July 28 with what will likely be a titillating set from de facto FRF house band Big Willie’s Burlesque (they are presenting something called “The New Recessionaires”) and then some sultry shimmying from Samanyolu.

One of Japan’s top bellydance troupes, Tokyo beauties Nourah, Eva, Natacha, Nashwa, Mavi, and Rumi (the seventh member of Samanyolu, Latte, recently gave birth so she’ll be skipping FRF) will be accompanied by DJ Salam Unagami and the very talented darbuka player Qucyu Shinshi.  Qucyu Shinshi previously played at FRF ’06 with Safi & Channel Sphynx and at FRF ’07 on the Gan-Ban stage in Oasis.

Nourah from Samanyolu is excited to have both men joining the ladies at Cafe De Paris.

“Salam Unagami always finds exotic pop and funky music during his travels through Middle Eastern countries,” she says.  “We love his positive energy and always enjoy performing with him. Qucyu Shinshi plays darbuka with a rock ‘n’ roll spirit.  He’s so cool, and at the same time so sweet.  We can’t wait to dance to the sounds from his darbuka.”

Samanyolu in 2012: (L-R) Eva, Natacha, Nashwa, Mavi, Nourah, Rumi

For their FRF ’12 appearance, Samanyolu will be playing in the afternoon.  This is very different from their FRF debut in 2008 when they collaborated with JVC Force TYO in the Crystal Palace Tent at 3:30 am on Monday morning.

“We were all so sleepy before our set in 2008,” laughs Nourah.  “But when we arrived at the Crystal Palace there were so many people there and the venue was full of positive energy.  It made us feel very awake and excited to perform.  We had a great time bellydancing there.”

Before their performance at FRF ’08, Samanyolu had the chance to wander around the fest’s stunning site.  The bellydancers also got to experience some of the wet weather FRF is notorious for, and the feel-good vibes that radiate from Fujirockers rain or shine.

“We went to watch some of the performances on the Green Stage,” Nourah says.  “The weather was really nice at first, but then suddenly it began to rain very heavily.  We were all soaking wet and wanted to go back to the hotel.  But there were so many other people also walking back so we couldn’t move quickly.  Being wet and moving slowly with the crowd made us all feel down, but then we noticed that many people were laughing and singing.  This made our mood change and the walk to the hotel became a happy march.”

Samanyolu at the Crystal Palace Tent at FRF '08

Realizing that FRF audiences are different from a typical bellydance crowd, in 2008 Samanyolu prepared a performance with more of an upbeat rock ‘n’ roll feel to it.  Nourah says that the troupe are designing a special set specifically for FRF ’12 too.  So what can people expect from Samanyolu’s Cafe De Paris show?

“Our performance will be full of positive energy and feminine power,” says Nourah.  “We hope to mesmerize people and bring them into our exotic world where they can experience bliss, love, peace, and natural psychedelia.”

Check out live photos of  Samanyolu at FRF ‘08 here and a review of their show here.

*Samanyolu photos by Suguta and used with the permission of Fuji Rock Express ‘08.