Music in Malta

Malta hosts several major musical festivals and weekly musical events for the die-hard music fans.There are organ recitals in baroque churches and regular orchestral and soloist concerts in some stunning historic venues like the Manoel Theatre and St James Cavalier. Valletta is the venue for several annual festivals: the Valletta Baroque Festival; the summer Arts Festival; and the Opera Festival.

Highlights of the year include the established Malta Jazz Festival held in a wonderful location below the bastions of Valletta, overlooking a floodlit Grand Harbour. In the past decade, the festival has attracted jazz legends and the best of aspiring newcomers. There is often a series of jazz nights at the Cavalier, and in several café-bars. Another main event is the Choir Festival in November. This attracts international and local choirs in informal and spirited competition.

Folk & Band Music

Band music is one of the most popular traditions on the Islands. Every town and village has at least one, usually two, band clubs. Band music is taken seriously here, and is the mainstay of many open-air events. The highlight of the year for band music is the parish festa.

Ghana

Ghana is a fascinating Maltese folk music at its most individual and traditional.  In bygone years, the lyrics were created afresh each time. Ghana originated in village bars and is always sung by men, accompanied by guitar. The lyrics tell stories of village life, with its wonderful personalities, and of events in local history. Today, you might chance across an impromptu Ghana in a rural bar. The Centre for Creativity at St James’ Cavalier has Ghana nights from time to time and it is also performed at various heritage events.

Etnika

Look out also for music by Etnika, a traditional folk group reviving ethnic Maltese musical forms and instruments. Their music, using traditional bag pipes, horns and drums, was once part of the Islands' daily life, and used in a variety of social contexts - from weddings to funerals - and by town criers and street vendors. Etnika reinterpret this unique and forgotten musical heritage for a contemporary audience.<