- Title: LEBANON-BYBLOS/JOHN LEGEND John Legend kickstarts Byblos Festival
- Date: 14th July 2015
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) LEBANESE STUDENT, HENRIETTE SERHAN, SAYING: "The concert was great. His voice is really perfect just like in the album. It sounds like a CD while he is actually singing live, so we enjoyed it a lot and we will definitely repeat it."
- Embargoed: 29th July 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Lebanon
- Country: Lebanon
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA7ZKWXPXONCQDLUGVLFK4HXVT0
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Thousands of music lovers flocked to the Phoenician port of Byblos for the start of the annual Byblos International Festival on Monday night (July 13).
Every year, Byblos - an ancient city on Lebanon's coast - hosts a summer music festival that features performances by renowned international and Arab artists.
This year's event was opened by nine-time award winning Grammy singer-songwriter John Legend, who performed hits from his album 'Love In The Future'.
"The concert was great. His voice is really perfect just like in the album. It sounds like a CD while he is actually singing live, so we enjoyed it a lot and we will definitely repeat it," said Henriette Serhan, who attended the concert.
Another fan praised the singer, but said she'd prefer for events to start on time rather than keeping the crowds waiting.
"Tonight was great, John Legend was really really amazing but I just wish they started on time, they always tell us 9:30 pm and start at 10 pm. The festivals in general in Lebanon? I guess it is great that we are still having festivals every year," said music fan Sahar.
This was the first time for the 36-year old chart topping American artist to visit Lebanon, much to the delight of his fans.
"I am fascinated with what is happening in Lebanon recently. Every day is getting better, they are getting people from abroad and opening up to Europe, the Arab World, and America. I was surprised tonight, there was about 10,000 people and all of them were singing with him, they know the lyrics by heart. It was something. I was really fascinated,'' said Lebanese fan Sami Matar, who said he enjoyed Legend's rendition of 'All of Me'.
"It was really nice. The concert today was really nice. We honestly live abroad and usually come to Lebanon for the festivals because no one (in the region) does such festivals with such a variety and international stars," added another fan, Tarek Ziade, who lives in Kuwait.
This show is the first of many taking place in Lebanon over the summer, with Baalbeck and Beiteddine International Festivals attracting both Lebanese and foreign musicians.
The festival runs until August 15 with a line-up including Rodrigo Y Gabriela and Mireille Mathieu. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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