Supernatural Swing to UB Palace Concert

Friday, 06 April 2007
By M. Bayarmaa /UB Post/

A PERFORMANCE by Mongolian Christian bands was held on March 23, in the Royal Hall of the UB Palace. Many bands, singers and artists such as Hargui, The Kingdom, The Light, The Pilots, Shalom, Orshihui, Hip Hop Crew, Namuu, Enkuush, Narka and a church drama group participated in the “Who You Are” concert.

They sang many variations of music such as rock, pop, gospel, R&B, Asian music, hip hop, alternative rock and beat-boxing. Most of the songs they did are very popular and recognized throughout the world. The concert found many sponsors in the form of the international organization “World Vision,” the Mongolian Evangelical Coalition, FM Radio 104.5, Eagle TV, the printing and design company Sumson, SU Shopping, Love Gift Shopping, Hi-Fi, and Orange Records.

Recently, Shalom, The Light and The Pilots are bands whose alternative rock songs have cracked the Mongolian youth market. The Light did not disappoint at the concert, singing “Boots” a musing on belief, while Shalom sang crowd favorites “Time” and “Branch Road.”
The content and form of the songs on display are essentially unique in this country since other Mongolian artists usually like to sing about love expressed between or from a mother and father or the love of one’s country. The Christian message of love for the Father and each other’s neighbors does not have a traditional grounding in the Mongolian music scene.

A heady crowd of young people was drawn to the concert partly because of Enkuush, who performed the song that won the “New Wave” song competition, while Narka is a beat-boxing artist who complements his act with many kinds of traditional musical instruments, such as the oral fiddle. The audience registered their approval in much the same manner as any gathering of excitable youth in front of their music heroes, with screaming and shouting aplenty.

Khargui, a gospel band, is one of the first Mongolian Christian bands that have Jesus Christ at the centre of their lyrics, such as “Jesus is the Closest Friend of Mine.” Anar, another Christian artist, sang about the love that is a woman’s beauty. In the course of his song, he explained “Beauty is not only an external appearance but also internal thoughts of the heart. Beauty is very important for people.” Young females in the audience, notwithstanding his fans, found his song most captivating.

The Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) organized the performance. The purpose of the YMCA is to help “the youth spend their spare time in a decent way, to give young people a calling to renew and change their lives, to learn from each other and to develop their God-given talent.”
After the Royal Hall concert drew to a close, I went to the Grand Hall of the UB Palace, to watch the performance of BX, a popular R&B singer. Narka was again in evidence as he performed with BX and formed the most interesting part of BX’s concert. His reserves of energy must be powered by his faith – clearly Jesus is his friend.