After the twinning of Liverpool with Ho Chi Minh City, the British Council have brought over Saigon Soul Revival. The band has been bringing alternative pre 1975 music from Saigon back to the stage since 2016 with their live performances.
Honouring the original composers, singers and the golden era from which this music (Nhạc Vàng) came while applying new arrangements and interpretations of old Vietnamese songs. The (core) band includes 5 members consisting of Nguyễn Anh Minh (vocals), Indy Jeremy Vinh Laville (guitar & Đàn Nguyệt ), Nguyễn Hương Bảo Hiếu (drums), Gabriel Kaouros (bass/perc.) and Đăng Nguyễn Khoa (keys).
With tight grooves, psychedelic textures and a powerful unique sound, SSR has performed countless shows at a variety of venues across Vietnam, including major events like Quest Festival, Vibe Nation and Mui Ne Music & Art festivals.
All members of the band are of Vietnamese background or have a strong connection to its culture and heritage through loved ones and their time spent in the country. Their music focuses on compositions that fuse Vietnamese lyrics and sounds with influences of western rock, soul, bolero, tango and other popular genres of this time period, most of which was banned after the war. This project strives to revive this beautiful musical heritage of Vietnam which represents an important cultural bridge between east and west.