Boishakhi Mela 2018 headliners announced

The headline acts at the Boishakhi Mela to be held on Weavers Fields on July 1 have now been announced.
The much loved free event, the largest Bengali festival outside of South Asia, returns with a dazzling line-up on the main stage and a fantastic array of activities across the site.
Internationally renowned fusion band Chirkutt will be heading to Weavers Field on July 1 alongside folk singer Ashik who will be coming over from Bangladesh to join the stellar line up.
With music described as ‘Epic Fusion’, Chirkutt are one of the few names in the Bangladeshi music scene to explode onto the global scene in a big way with appearances on world class platforms such as SxSW.
Ashik is one of the most popular Bangladeshi folk singer from Sylhet, Bangladesh.
In addition to the folk and baul recordings, he is now embracing more pop sounds into his recent tracks.
Last year’s Boishakhi Mela attracted over 40,000 people across the day who came to enjoy the best of Bengali culture including, music, dance, and cuisine.
Hosting the Mela is part of the council’s commitment to give residents greater access to cultural and community activities. And alongside this year’s highly acclaimed line-up on the main stage, there will be a wide range of engaging, family-friendly attractions and activities across the whole site to celebrate the Bengali New Year.
The Mela will also feature a vibrant market place, offering trading opportunities for a variety of stall holders selling food, arts and crafts.
Judith St John, Divisional Director, Leisure and Culture said: “Tower Hamlets offers the best of London in one borough and the annual Boishakhi Mela attracts thousands of visitors not only from the local area but also from across the UK.”
As the biggest Bengali festival outside South Asia, this much loved mainstay of the cultural calendar is a fantastic event to be a part of. We encourage everyone, including businesses and traders interested in selling goods to set the date aside or get in touch to enquire about trading opportunities.”
In addition to the performances and activities on site, the Mela will be heralded by a spectacular procession with music, colour and fabulous floats. These will include the magnificent tiger and elephant as well as a stunning peacock which is new for 2018 and whose striking plumage will be in pride of place at the front of the parade.
To book a stall, go to www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/mela
call 0207 364 7926 (10am – 1pm, Mon – Fri) or email melatrading@towerhamlets.gov.uk
The booking deadline is 12noon on Friday 1 June 2018.