Inner Mongolian band AnDa Union are touring Scotland with their approach to the forgotten music and songs of China’s recent tumultous past. The 9-piece first toured the UK in 2013 and stole the show everywhere. The band members all grew up in families ‘with the music’, several of whom still live in the traditional Mongolian way, and came together at music college in Hohhot, their capital city. There they were able to integrate traditional forms – like the now-famous throat singing – into creating a sound uniquely and mysteriously Mongolian but with a strong appeal to a western sensibility. 

AnDa Union hold on to the essence of Mongolian music whilst creating a form of music that is new. AnDa Union combine different traditions and styles of music from all over Inner and Outer Mongolia, developing an innovation previously unheard of. The very existence of a music group like AnDa Union is new to Inner Mongolia:

“Our music draws from all the Mongol tribes that Genghis Khan unified. We all have different ethnic backgrounds and we bring these influences into our music. There is a wealth of folk music for us to learn, so far our repertoire of songs is like a drop in the ocean”

The group describe themselves as music gatherers, digging deep into Mongol traditions and unearthing forgotten music. They are on a mission to stimulate their culture and reengage young Mongols, many of who have forgotten how to speak their own language. Saihanniya is working hard to open a bar in the capital Hohhot, where she will promote music.

“I found an old golden wheel with half its spokes broken in an old dusty shop. It looks like a wheel that once turned the warrior carts of the great Mongol armies. I will hang this wheel in my bar as a warning to Mongolian people that our culture is broken and needs to be mended.” 

Bataar, the drummer adds, “young Mongolians like us now understand how important our culture is but maybe the next generation won’t care and we have to prevent this from happening”.

“Anda Union are brilliant, I rate their gig at Lakeside as one of my highlights over the years, it was amazing. We’d love to have them back” Nottingham Lakeside Arts Centre

“I would love to have them back – they were fantastic!” Halifax Square Chapel

“The feedback for Anda Union has been truly wonderful. We would be delighted to welcome them back to the hall again.” Bristol St George’s.

DATES – in Scotland
JANUARY 2016
Th 28 PERTH PH1 5HZ Perth Concert Hall (with Breabach) 01738 62 10 31 www.horsecross.co.uk/perth-concert-hall
Fr 29 GLASGOW G20 7EL The MacKintosh Church 0141 353 8000 www.celticconnections.com/
Sa 30 DUMFRIES DG1 1LW Spiegeltent 01387 27 18 20 www.bigburnssupper.com
Su 31 INVERNESS IV3 5SA Eden Court Theatre (Empire) 01463 23 42 34 www.eden-court.co.uk/

FEBRUARY 2016
Mo 01 EDINBURGH EH11 2DZ St Bride’s Centre 07968 131737 bpt.me/2463827