El Khat Brings Their Groundbreaking Yemeni Sound to Bishop Hill
November 17 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Audiences are invited to experience one of the most innovative and culturally rich musical acts touring today as El Khat, the boundary-pushing Arabic-Yemeni trio, performs at Bishop Hill Creative Commons on Monday, November 17.
The evening begins with a community potluck and social hour at 6:00 p.m., followed by the concert at 7:00 p.m. The event is all ages and family-friendly, offering a rare opportunity to experience a globally acclaimed sound in an intimate local setting. Guests are welcome to bring their own food, drinks, lawn chairs, or blankets.
A $20–$30 suggested donation is requested, with 100% of proceeds going directly to the performers.
About El Khat
Formed in 2019, El Khat has risen to international attention for their electrifying blend of traditional Yemeni rhythms, experimental composition, and striking use of DIY, self-made instruments. Born from jam sessions in garages and warehouses, the group forged a sound rooted in heritage yet radically modern in approach.
Their music is shaped by Yemeni cultural memory, war-driven displacement, and reconstructed identity — themes that echo through every rhythmic pattern and vocal cry.
While El Khat embraces a philosophy of detachment from national borders, their connection to Yemeni culture is unmistakable, pulsing through their use of traditional percussive forms and the evocative timbre of the homemade instruments they build themselves.
With three albums released and a fourth arriving in 2026, El Khat is celebrated for bridging past and present, reviving Yemeni tradition while fearlessly reimagining its future. Their performances have become known worldwide for their emotional depth, raw inventiveness, and powerful cultural storytelling.
El Khat are:
🎵 Eyal el Wahab – seer, kearat, pahit (self-made instruments), lead vocals
🥁 Lo tan Yaish – drum kit (self-made instruments), backing vocals
🎹 Yefet Hassan – organ, percussion (self-made instruments), backing vocals
Together, they create a sound that is earthy, urgent, hypnotic, and wholly unique — a testament to the resilience and creativity of a people scattered across continents yet united by rhythm.
