The experimental music programme Ha Noi Sound Stuff 2010 is expected to draw over 80 artists from 16 countries and territories around the world when it takes place here on March 26-28. The third of its kind, this year's festival will be held under the them of Green Space.

The three-day festival will combine music with activities designed to raise public awareness of environmental protection, including fashion shows, games, and film screenings.

The programme was drawing increasing interest and was providing an opportunity for local artists to gain exposure to contemporary world music, said musician Tri Minh from the event's organising board.

Live Stage Day will be held next Friday with performances by Australia's Jamie Lloyd, Denmark's Michael Moller, Belgium's C-Drik and Vietnamese artists Thanh Lam, Linh Dung and Ha Dinh Huy. Experimental Day next Saturday will feature German artist Robert Henke, Hong Kong's Dickson Dee, Vietnamese composer Vu Nhat Tan and and The Six Tones, a group of Swedish and Vietnamese artists.

Henke, better known as the producer behind Monolake, is a leading dub-techno artists, "a musician who makes music software that changes the way artists make music. We are very proud to announce his participation in the festival", said Minh.

A team of four DJs from Europe's Tresor Club will perform on DJs Day next Sunday, including Alex Millan from France. For the first time, Ha Noi Sound Stuff will also feature Vietnamese DJs like DJ Tokhec, DJ Sungmin and DJ Lamanh, performing daily during the festival from 4-6pm.

"I really look forwards to performing and exchanging knowledge with DJs from all over the world," said DJ Sungmin from Bar Zenith.

The festival is being co-organised by the Viet Nam National Academy of Music and the promoter M.A.M, with support from the Goethe Institute, British Council and Japan Foundation.

(VNS)