If you’ve not yet seen Omar Souleyman play live, where on earth have you been?

Whether you’re new to the Syrian superstar’s ecstatic performances or not, you mustn’t miss his show at Corsica Studios on Saturday 28 August. On this occasion Souleyman will play two sets – the first an ultra-rare Mawal set (focussing on the slower, moodier music in his repertoire) and the second one of the kinetic Dabke/Choubi sets with which he’s made his name in the Western world.

The show is in support of his third album for Sublime Frequencies, Jazeera Nights. Souleyman has been honing his brand of street-level Syrian folk-pop for the past fifteen years, releasing more than 500 cassette albums in his home nation. Though it’s his incredible voice which commands the most attention, the music underpinning it – particularly Rizan Sa’id’s lo-fi but propulsive Casio keyboard rhythms – is no less remarkable, at times coming over like nothing so much as rugged alien techno. It’s party music like no other, and it’s no surprise that Souleyman has won the hearts of audiences all over the world – his 2009 outings at The Dome in North London and Barcelona’s Sonar festival are the stuff of legend.

The Corsica Studios gig is being promoted by the good people at Upset The Rhythm; tickets are £15 and selling fast. For more information, click here.