Ustad Noor Bakhsh LIVE at Beacon Valley

'The Jimmi Hendrix of the Balochi Benju'

One of our most iconic shows of last year: when Ustad Noor Bakhsh, who has sold out the Southbank Centre (London), The World Cultural Festival (Karachi), WOMAD & Glastonbury Festivals, played his Birmingham debut at Beacon Valley in an intimate Bhaitakh setting of around 50 people. 

Last year, the storm averted this forest concert from taking place. This Summer, we're inviting the Ustad Noor Bakhsh trio back to share their joyful sounds with wider audiences at the forest in Beacon Valley. 

Ustad Noor Bakhsh LIVE at Beacon Valley 2025

About Ustad Noor Bakhsh: 

Noor Bakhsh is a well-known legendary instrumentalist throughout the Makran Coast, but only garnered wider attention after his most recent recordings and videos. His instrument, the Benju, once a Japanese children’s toy, was adopted by Balochi musicians and made into the refined folk instrument that it is today. Noor Bakhsh plays an electric Benju, getting his sound through an old Phillips amp he bought 2 decades ago in Karachi.

He carries forward the legacy of his teachers and inspirations such as Bilawal Belgium and Misri Khan Jamali. His virtuosic playing is deeply rooted in Balochi music and enriched by his knowledge of South Asian Raags, which he renders in his own, experimental style.

His repertoire includes Persian and Kurdish tunes that have circulated before the modern borders of Iran and Pakistan and division of Balochistan. In one of his recent recordings, he even played an Arabic Ghazal on his Benju. Needless to say, he also renders popular and folk tunes in all the major languages spoken across Pakistan. No surprises, that Noor Baksh plays several Bollywood songs too, after all, he has soaked the sounds around him like a sponge, including those of all birds in the mountains and the jungle near his village. Other than his diverse repertoire, he has several original compositions too, including one inspired by bird songs.

Ustad Noor Bakhsh's debut album, 'Jingul‘, was released digitally in September 2022, and came out on vinyl via the UK’s Hive Mind Records on September 15, 2023.

About Beacon Valley: 

Beacon Valley is a unique, family-run venue set at the heart of Birmingham's Lickey Hills: exploring wellbeing, art and culture immersed in nature. This space was originally designed by Edward Cadbury (from the Chocolate factory), who left behind a significant legacy of nature, spirituality and knowledge to the city of Birmingham.

Beacon Valley is connected to the highest point in Birmingham (The Beacon), and features a water spring, river source and 20th Century well.

Due to the hillside nature of our venue, it is currently most suitable to those able to walk up and down stairs. 

For folks requiring access support, it is possible to arrange a shuttle into the Valley. Please get in touch to organise this beforehand: contact@beaconvalley.co.uk 

We look forward to welcoming you soon!