Teatru Unplugged 12 - 27, 28, 29 November 2009

Over the years, many local & upcoming artists and bands have performed and used this event as a launching platform for their work. Some foreign acts have also performed. Teatru Unplugged is an innovative event which blends in various short acts of varying music genres which appeal to different audience profiles. This results in a great combination proving that different audiences appreciate different genres of music in limited doses! Since its inception in 1998, Teatru Unplugged has had three main objectives, to serve as a platform for upcoming local musicians, to expose patrons to different genres of music and to entertain! Held within the classical setting of the Manoel Theatre, the contrast of fast moving and diverse musical acts creates a unique event. ChooseMalta.com is committed to support the local music community and innovative events!

This year’s event has the following line-up:

- Lara Dimech
Lara is a 14 year old student pianist that was partly sponsored by Teatru Unplugged with the objective of assisting young people to study music and also to give them an opportunity to perform on stage. Lara will perform a short act which would also be her first ever ‘official’ performance.

- Carrie
“Her [Carrie’s] voice is so mature for her age” exclaimed Seth Riggs, vocal coach to Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and many others. And after recording at A&M studios Patrick Leonard , who produced Madonna, Roger Waters, Natasha Beddingfield, Mariah Carey and several others, told Carrie Haber “You are scary!” after recording her song “Naked” in one perfect take. Teatru Unplugged will be her first performance in Malta since leaving the Island for London, where she brings a taste of the old, the new and a few surprises too.

- 8 Ugly
Rock band 8 Ugly are former winners of Toni Sant's Mużika Mod Ieħor award for best online release and former nominees for best newcomers at the Bay Music Awards. This year they are back on the local music scene and plan to release their debut album entitled 'Sleeper' which will include their hit singles 'Find' and 'Goodbye' as well as cover versions of 'Call Me' (local band The Refugees) and 'Lady Let it Lie' (Fish). They will perform one or two songs from 'Sleeper' as well as some popular cover versions from the likes of Seal and Any Winehouse. At Teatru Unplugged the band will be be joined on stage by singer Paula (who will take over as lead vocalist on the last night) and soprano Frances Catherine Farrugia.

Mark Azzopardi - vocals
Karl Spiteri - Guitar
Jeremy De Maria - Guitar
Joe Zammit - Percussion
Paula Azzopardi - Vocals (will join us for one song)
Frances Catherine Farrugia – Vocals (soprano) (will join us for one song)
Boris - Keyboards (still to be confirmed)

- Eve Ransom
After taking a few months off from the public eye to work on new material, Eve Ransom returned in the summer of 2009 with their powerful ballad ‘Soundtrack to a smile’ which was released in July and peaked at Number One on Bay’s Top 10 in August, where it remained for two weeks. Recorded at Doyaya Studios and produced by Boris Cezek, the single is the follow up to last year’s controversial ‘Alisha’s Room’, which raised the issue of child abuse yet was banned from some radio stations. Eve Ransom resisted pressure and went along with telling the story in their own way and eventually one major station agreed to play it. ‘Alisha’s Room’ was a smash hit and got the band nominated for Best Band.The band have continued the momentum by releasing their follow-up single, ‘Evergreen’ in early October, which promises to be yet another big hit for the boys. Eve Ransom are Dee on drums, Alan on bass guitar, Kenji on guitars, and Brendan Jackson on Vocals and guitars.

Renzo Spiteri with Jes Psaila and Ben Murray
Renzo Spiteri- Percussion
Ben Murray- Piano, accordian, vocals
Jes Psaila- Guitar

Percussionist Renzo Spiteri returns to Teatru Unplugged with a new line-up that features guitarist Jes Psaila, and British singer, pianist and accordion player Ben Murray. Although Renzo has collaborated with both musicians on various projects, this is the first time that the trio will be performing together. As individuals all three members display great technical and musical ability- Renzo Spiteri has worked with world-class musicians and continues to travel extensively, Mercury Music Award nominee Ben Murray leads his own folk-fusion band Tarras and Jes Psaila plays in diverse musical situations, from mainstream to more experimental environments. As a trio their music is surely set to entertain Teatru Unplugged audiences!

- Peter & Papps (featuring guest appearance by Gianni & Eric Wadge)
Peter Grech & Alex Papagiorcopulo known as Peter & Papps are fast becoming one of Malta’s favourite acoustic duo rocking through cover versions. Following last years amazing and popular first performance at Teatru Unplugged they will be playing again in this years event. They will also be joined on stage by Eric Wadge and Gianni for a song or two........

Sponsors for this years event include Tommy Hilfiger, Estetika, BRND WGN and Mystic Araar by Camilleri Wines.

Tickets cost €8, €12 and €15 and can be purchased online from www.teatrumanoel.com.mt, by e-mail bookings@teatrumanoel.com.mt, or by calling (356) 2124 6389.

Early booking is recommended.