In 2022 Alwan orchestrated a memorable evening of Turkish, Arabic, Persian and Sephardic music at Open Space. Alwan are Yuval Ashkar (oud, vocals, percussion), Phil Carroll (accordion, ney flute, duduk) and Matt Stonehouse (percussion). They have played together in concert venues and at festivals across Australia for the past fifteen years. With beautiful vocals, haunting instrumentals and fiery drum solos, Alwan delighted our audience in 2022 with virtuoso performances all round and are back by popular demand.

Alwan brings together a trio of master musicians to create a unique blend of middle eastern/world music. Yuval Ashkar undertook his formative training under oud master Yaid Dalal, before moving to Australia. Phil Carroll lived in Turkey where he studied ney and worked as a musician in weddings, cafes and Sufi ceremonies. He was leader of the Melbourne middle-eastern band Yalla! for 10 years. Matt Stonehouse (The Reefers, Unified Gecko, Fingers of Fury) has worked extensively throughout Melbourne to great acclaim in a variety of percussive styles. He studied drumming in Turkey and Iran, and also crafts his own drums.

Alwan have presented their breath-taking blend of middle-eastern/world music at multiple festivals across Australia, supported the Mercan Dede ensemble at the Victorian Arts Centre, and their music featured on the soundtrack of the feature film ‘Ali’s Wedding’.