Brighton Festival Announces Broadcaster Nabihah Iqbal As Guest Director For 2023

Saturday, 12 November 2022 06:00

By Dominic Kureen @WriteOnDom

Brighton Festival has announced its Guest Director for 2023 will be the critically acclaimed musician, producer, DJ and broadcaster Nabihah Iqbal.

Brighton Festival was established in 1967 and is the largest annual curated multi-arts festival in England.

Next year’s Festival will take place from May 6-28 and is a celebration of music, theatre, dance, art, film, literature, debate, outdoor and community events in venues and locations across Brighton, Hove and Sussex.

Following a background in law and ethnomusicology, Nabihah Iqbal’s debut as a recording artist came in 2017 with the release of her critically acclaimed album Weighing of the Heart on the UK’s Ninja Tune label.

He will be Brighton Festival’s 14th Guest Director, following in the footsteps of Anish Kapoor, Brian Eno, Laurie Anderson, Kae Tempest, Lemn Sissay OBE and, in 2022, architect Marwa Al-Sabouni & theatre-maker Tristan Sharps.

On becoming Guest Director of Brighton Festival 2023, Nabihah Iqbal said:

“It is an absolute honour to take on the role of Guest Director for Brighton Festival 2023.

"I’m so grateful for the opportunity to bring together artists and thinkers whose work I truly admire, to culminate in a celebration of creativity, ideas and community."

In addition to her work as a musician, Iqbal has built a formidable reputation as a DJ and tastemaker, frequently presenting shows across the BBC on Radio 1, Radio 4, 1Xtra, Asian Network, World Service and 6Music.

Andrew Comben, Chief Executive, Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival said:

“Nabihah Iqbal personifies the eclectic, intellectually curious and culturally adventurous spirit of Brighton Festival. Working with Nabihah is a joyful, mind-stretching, energising journey through a vast range of art and artists.

"We can’t wait to bring her vision for the Festival to audiences next year and share the excitement she and her collaborators have for this great crucible of culture and ideas.”

Brighton Festival will take place from 6-28 May 2023.