Award-winning Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is one of the biggest names in qawali, the devotional music of the Sufis, and soon his transcendent vocals could be spilling from a yet-to-be-disclosed venue in Glasgow thanks to his ‘Just Qawwali’ world tour. This year, you have the chance to hear his powerful voice first-hand, following in the footsteps of royalty, rock stars, presidents and more who have experienced the captivating melodies of Khan’s qawali music live. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and an incredible lineup of artists, will take to the stage at venues around the world to spread his message of love, peace and spiritualism with immensely captivating performances.
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has music in his blood; having been born into a Punjabi family filled with classical singers and musicians. Not only was his uncle considered to be the greatest qawali singer of his time and widely credited for popularising qawali music with Western audiences, but his grandfather and father also made a name for themselves in the world of qawali – as a famous singer and harmonium player respectively.
Qawali music originated in the 13th century; a form of spiritual poetry with central themes of love and devotion, and to this day it has the power to move anyone who hears it. Rahat was trained in the art of qawali from as young as seven and he was only nine when he first performed at the death anniversary of his grandfather.
Only a few years later, at fifteen years old, he embarked on a world tour with Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan as an integral part of his qawali party, capturing the attention of fans along the way and taking the first steps on his musical journey to become a renowned singer. His centuries-old family name will be forever linked to South Asian musical tradition and Rahat carries forward their legacy with his soul-stirring vocals and global success.
It’s not just qawali music Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is famous for, having won numerous awards as a Bollywood playback singer, performed for over 140 diplomats at a United Nations concert, collaborated with Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam fame and even worked in Hollywood, where his vocals featured on the soundtracks of films such as Dead Man Walking, The Four Feathers and Mel Gibson’s Apocalypto.
The global superstar has over 50 albums and more than 100 film songs to his name – plus a fan following of over one billion across the globe – so you can be sure tickets will be disappearing faster than you can say qawali. Make sure to sign up to the waitlist today to be first in line when they are released.