In 2007, four male musicians in the form of Errol Sammut, Johann Schembri, Chris Curmi and Steve Farrugia came together to create the alternative male band known as Airport Impressions. Jagged House Studios, represented by Howard Keith knew that there was something special and thus a professional relationship began, one which culminated in the release of a number of successful singles such as Beside You and Wake Up. Nevertheless, the tracks only got better and in 2008, with the release of Borderline, it seemed that the star was set to shine and not for a short period but for a lengthy stretch. Airport Impressions continues to work hard and in 2010, put out their debut album entitled Minutes of a Lifetime which won rave reviews from critics and practically all possible awards.

In recent months, the group has been relatively quiet in the public eye with their last known appearances coming about at the end of summer of 2012 including concerts in Sweden, the country which just happens to be hosting this years' edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. Errol Sammut on the other hand has also been busy co-writing with Claudia Faniello in recent months having been the composer behind the song When It's Time which finished in seventh place during this years' edition of the Malta Eurovision Song Contest prior to making it on 89.7 Bay, where it peaked at number #2 on the local charts. In the past couple of days, the group have been gearing up for an announcement on their Official Page on Facebook and finally, the wait is over with a sophomore album in the works. with the correct statement saying 'Proud to announce that we are officially back in the studio today to record our second album!' Stay tuned to escflashmalta.com for all of the latest news.

Source: Official Facebook Page

The strides of improvement that the local music industry has underwent in the past couple of years has been beyond overwhelming noting that Jagged House alone now represents some of the most professional and successful artists around including the likes of former Eurovision Song Contest representative; Ira Losco who is currently planning to release a brand new album following an extended quiet period as well as other groups such as Tribali, The Rifffs and of course, Airport Impressions who continue to impress their ever growing fan base. A couple of days and weeks back it was revealed that the latter band who scooped all of the major accolades at the Malta Music Awards as well as the Bay Music Awards were invited back to Sweden, not for just one performance but a four date mini-tour.

Airport Impressions have become a popular name to many in the local music industry especially after releasing their debut album Minutes of a Lifetime with tracks written by the groups themselves as well as worked upon under the typical pop/rock genre which many have come to enjoy. Amongst the standout tracks from the respective collection, one will surely mention the likes of Walk With Me, Borderline, and their hit single Freedom which is still regularly played on local radio stations. Four dates have been setup starting as from tomorrow as the band leave for the Swedish capital, Stockholm later on this evening alongside their Manager, Howard Keith. The editorial team at escflashmalta.com wishes them the very best of luck as they represent the very best that the country has to offer musically. Stay tuned for all of the latest news as soon as it becomes available. 

Source: Facebook, escflashmalta.com

Jagged House has been a stellar reputation in the past couple of years and this has been noted in a feature written on escflashmalta.com just days before an official announcement which surrounds what is set to be one of the biggest events organized in the country and one which will be involving the leading names of the same aforementioned production and management house. The showcase which will be held on the 7th September has been entitled as the End of Summer Music Festival and will be featuring the likes of Airport Impressions, Brikkuni, The Riffs, Tribali and also Ira Losco. The latter two have been busy promoting their latest material and will definitely be a welcome crowd ready to hear them perform live as they have done in previous years.

The event which is taking place at the grounds of St Margaret College, Verdala, in Cospicua is being organized by none other than Jagged House and Stageline Entertainment with the promise that people will definitely not be disappointed. Standards tickets for the event cost €13 whilst VIP tickets are slightly more expensive at €35. Nevertheless those who would have the latter type of entrance tickets will also be treated to a pre-concert get together with all of the artists performing at the event. Tickets could be bought either from all of the brances of Maltapost, Eden Leisure Group or even from the official website of the publishing/production/management house. There is also a hotline which is none other than +35699226119. Such events are surely to be supported at all costs and therefore, escflashmalta.com is proudly supporting such an initiative so make sure to get your tickets as soon as possible.

Source: Times of Malta

In the past couple of years, there has been a lot of talk with regards to the growing amount of artists that the Maltese Islands are producing especially ones which somewhat deserve attention. The scenes are different but they represent a typical diverse music culture, one which has been surrounded by the success achieved on foreign shores. Production and songwriting is key though because otherwise, artists would be stuck to performing tracks which others had released during their respective careers. One of the main elements for the change in succeeding within the local music scene has surely been Jagged House, a company which represents management and production first and foremost led by none other than Howard Keith, the director who initial affiliations with music came during a time when Chiara was set to represent Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest way back in 2005. Having worked with the renowned songwriter/producer turned photographer Paul Zammit Cutajar, they turned the successful Farmhouse Studios into a reputable business which has somewhat saved our music industry.

In this present day and age, Jagged House has worked hard into creating leading names in the local music industry including none other than; pop/rock artist Ira Losco who is just about ready to launch her next album following the release of her single What I'd Give which puts the performer in a completely different light to what many have seen of her; Tribali whose world music just got somewhat more complex with the addition of lead vocalist Eliza whose pipes are well adjusted to on the number #1 hit album known as The Traveller; The alternative rock band Airport Impressions whose debut album entitled Minutes of a Lifetime was a huge success in the country leading to the band going onto perform on foreign shores and last but not least, the alternative ska band known as The Riffs whose comeback has been more than endearing so to speak working with some of the most notable names in the industry to make sure that their original sound never goes away.

There have been a number of side projects which Howard Keith has taken up in recent months as well with former protegees Red Electrick looking to launch a brand new sound following their successful unplugged sessions which were promoted live in the theatre. Another interesting project which he has taken up on behalf of Jagged House is with Bletchley Park who have become somewhat more popular in just a space of a couple of months. Their work is best represented in their debut album bearing the title My Body Fighting actually. The lead single off the album is currently a leading radio hit and will continue to earn airplay as long as the listeners keep to their typical sound. Jagged House represents some of the most successful individuals in the local music industry and that is because they are known to be professional, take everything into consideration and take their time before making decisions. Stay tuned to escflashmalta.com for more news about the local music industry.

Source: escflashmalta.com, Jagged House

The most anticipated annual summer event, the 2013 Farsons Great Beer Festival kicked off yesterday and will be on till Sunday the 5th of August. Each and every year the festival brings together some of the best local stars along with upcoming artists that entertain the crowds present for the ten days festivities at Ta’ Qali. All those in attendance can enjoy the entertainment offered on both the main stage and the rock stage whilst sipping down their favourite beer.

The Beer Festival always manages to unite  the two main areas of the local music scene, as one finds a mix of music that varies from pop, rock and alternative – the mix includes the singers who are more associated to local contests to singers and bands who their main focus is hitting the radio airwaves. This amalgamation manages to attract different crowds to the beer festival and that is the reasons why the festival is a huge success year after year.

Friday 27th July

Main Stage: Funk Initiative / Big Band Brothers

Rock Stage: Saving Alexis / International Diamond Thieves / Red Electrick

Saturday 28th July

Main Stage: Lyndsay / Thea / Freddie Portelli

Rock Stage: Skimmed / Bletchley Park / Dripht / The Riffs

Sunday 29th July

Main Stage: Trip / Disco Show by DJ Alex (Reflex)

Rock Stage: Aces Shade / Seriousz Funk / St Matthew / Juuls Reggae Party

Monday 30th July

Main Stage: Simon Elvis / Tribali

Rock Stage: In The Name Of / Nomad Son / Forsaken

Tuesday 31st July

Main Stage: St Matthew / Joe Demicoli

Rock Stage: ColourBlind / A Day Too Late / Fire

Wednesday 1st August

Main Stage: Planet Seed / Marty Rivers

Rock Stage:  Three Stops To China / Dolls for Idols / Stolen Creep / Cable35

Thursday 2nd August

Main Stage: Kyle / Versatile Brass Band

Rock Stage: 26 Other Worlds / Rug / No Snow No Alps

Friday 3rd August

Main Stage: Ivan Filletti / Airport Impressions

Rock Stage: Mikaela & Band / BNI / Bridget Bone

Saturday 4th August

Main Stage: Brooke / Zoo Show

Rock Stage: 12th Ode / Texanna / The Creepers

Sunday 5th August

Main Stage: The Crowns / Kurt Calleja & Band

Rock Stage: Canvas Wall / Scar / Fakawi

The Beland community has always been the one to organize different events that help promote local talent and attract locals to their events. It all started back in 2006 with the concert Alive and from then onward they never looked back. Last year they took the initiative of organizing a week full of concerts with different number of guests throughout the week. escflashmalta.com was on site for most of the days and the crowd just got bigger and bigger with each passing day; surely something the organizers hoped for from the start. This meant one thing – the event was a huge success and when you have a successful formula you stick to it hence why the Beland Music Festival is BACK. 

The festival will open on the 12th of May and will come to an end on the 20th of May and if last year’s event is anything to go by, this year’s festival will probably be better and even bigger. Slowly it is establishing itself as one of the event all the lovers of local music look forward to, in fact a number of people have been asking about the festival for quite some time. For the second straight year, the festival will take place in the Market Square in Zejtun and like last year it will take the form of an open air concert which will run for nine straight days. Each and every day has a special theme or a special act assigned to it which also includes a foreign tribute band of one of the biggest bands that ever existed.

Saturday - 12th May at 20:30

Winter Moods Live

Supporting Act: The Crowns

Sunday - 13th May at 10:00

Wheelspin Car Show

‘Belt l-ghannejja’ - Maltese folkloristic music (Ghana) will be performed by local folk singers and guitarists, with Kelinu Cutajar (Is-Superstar) 

Sunday - 13th May at 12:00

‘Belandfest’ - Marathon of entertainment with activity for all the family and many attractions including dance shows, animation teams and music performances. There will also be the mobile Blood Donation Unit to encourage people to donate blood and save lives. 

Sunday - 13th May at 20:30

‘Delicata Wine Night’ - Live concert by Cash & band, Planet Feed and Antz Walking.

Monday - 14th May at 20:30

‘Nostalgija’ - Special concert gathering most of the well-known local singers together to perform live their Maltese classics that have been entertaining the public over the last four decades. Amongst the artists taking part are Freddie Portelli, Bajzo, Georgina, Christian Arding, Bartolo Sisters (daughters of Sammy Bartolo), Tony Camilleri, Joe George and Mike Spiteri, all live with the Band of Mro. Paul Abela. 

Tuesday - 15th May at 20:30

‘Malta Pop Show’ - Pop concert with Malta's most famous Pop singers, including Claudia Faniello, Gianni, Richard Edwards, Fabrizio Faniello, Muxu, Christabelle, Urban Echoe, Keith Dance Studio and more. 

Wednesday - 16th May at 20:30

‘Think Floyd - The Definitive Pink Floyd Experience’; International Live tribute show of the legendary group Pink Floyd. 

Thursday - 17th May at 20:30

‘The Green Gathering’ - Exactly one month before the feast of Zejtun, all the Beland family and feast enthusiasts will meet at Market Square for this big gathering. 

Friday - 18th May at 20:30

Airport Impressions Live

Supporting act: Dry Connections

Saturday - 19th May at 20:30

‘Alive The Concert’ - A big concert with Malta's best voices, including Chiara and Glen Vella.

(UEFA Champions League final will be shown on Big Screen). 

Sunday - 20th May at 19:15

Zejtun Youth Mass

Sunday - 20th May at 20:30

‘Beland Spectacular’ - The grand closing of the week, with the Beland Band in the leading role in a live concert with a number of famous singers, namely; Mary Spiteri, Lawrence Gray, Thea Garrett, Mikaela, Wayne Micallef, Eleanor Cassar and Raquela. 

One can see the festival as an opening to the summer months activities as other activities take place all around the island during the summer months but most of them would not be held on such a grand scale. To organize such a massive event is not easy and Beland would not have been able to provide such a field with different artists were it not for the support they found from their sponsors. The event is free of charge but those in attendance are encouraged to give a small donation that will go directly to Puttinu cares as for another year, the event is being held in aid of Puttinu Care which works for such a noble case. So remember from the 12th of May to the 20th of May your entertainment spot should be in Zejtun at the Beland Music Festival. escflashmalta.com is proud to support this event in fact aiding in the production of the 'Malta Pop Show'. Stay tuned for more information.

Source: Facebook Official Page, The Beland Music Festival