El Khat
Live performance by El Khat blending Yemeni traditional percussion with DIY junkyard instruments and experimental psych‑rock.
El Khat – Junkyard Funk from Yemen!
El Khat is a homemade junkyard band led by multi-instrumentalist Eyal El Wahab. Named for the drug used so widely chewed across the Arab Peninsula, their original compositions are inspired by the music of the golden age in Aden, Yemen.
Experimenting with DIY, self-made instruments as an expression of a minimalist life philosophy - while remaining loyal to traditional Yemeni percussive roots - the three-piece developed a unique Arabic-Yemeni style. Although their detachment from any nation or flag is a driving force behind the group, the heart of their music and heritage remains deeply rooted in Yemeni culture.
“Brilliant!” - Gilles Peterson BBC6
The constant divisions created by war and migration have given rise to a reassembled identity, one that resonates strongly throughout El Khat’s music. With a fourth album to be released in 2026, El Khat continues to forge a sound that bridges past and present - keeping Yemeni culture alive while reimagining its future.
“Named after the plant famous for inducing mind-bending euphoria, El Khat's mission is to keep the unsung cultural heritage of their ancestors alive, but on their own terms, adding a healthy dollop of DIY attitude, psych-rock energy and noisy experimentalism” - Uncut
Same venue: 2220 Arts + Archives
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