Rockestr-A: Music-A’s Innovative Rock Experience
On June 21, 2018, Music-A introduced a groundbreaking musical concept called "Rockestr-A – The Sky Gatherers" for the opening of ABC Mall's Verdun branch. This powerful fusion of rock music and classical strings ensemble was curated by "Tarte aux Poires" and designed by Music-A to celebrate "La Fête de la Musique," or World Music Day.
Rockestr-A, a large-scale rock band with a unique twist, was produced, directed, and conducted by Music-A’s founder Roger A-Smith. The band featured 30 professional artists, including 5 vocalists, 3 drummers, 5 bass players, 5 guitarists, a keyboardist, and a full string section comprised of violins, violas, cellos, and a double bass. This extraordinary ensemble performed for over 80 minutes, delivering rock classics and world music hits such as "We Will Rock You" (Queen), "Stand By Me" (Ben E. King), "It’s My Life" (Bon Jovi), "Rolling in the Deep" (Adele), "Hotel California" (Eagles), and "Zombie" (Cranberries)...etc.
What made Rockestr-A particularly special was its distinctive formation. With five different singers, each bringing unique vocal tones and backgrounds, alongside five bass players, three drummers, and five guitarists, the band offered an unmatched musical experience. The intricate music arrangements and art direction showcased the talents of soloists and a kind of instrument battle-like during the solo sections of each song, while Roger A-Smith’s conducting brought out the best in each performer, making 'Rockestr-A Band' a true one-of-a-kind innovative Rock Experience.
Looking ahead, the dream for Rockestr-A is to scale the concept even further, envisioning a flashmob performance with over 100 musicians in public spaces, a concert during the Qatar World Cup, and a major showcase at Expo 2020 in Dubai.
For more details, visit the band's page by following this link: Rockestr-A - The Sky Gatherers.