Khardal Live at Niavaran Cultural Center (November 2019, Tehran)
In November 2019, I performed live with Khardal at the prestigious Niavaran Cultural Center in Tehran. This concert presented original compositions from our album Reverse Silence alongside improvisational sections that highlighted the band’s experimental approach to jazz, funk, and progressive rock.
As the bass player and co-founder of the group, I contributed both to the performance and to shaping the band’s stage presence. The event drew significant attention in the Iranian music scene, and was later covered by Musicema, one of the country’s leading music platforms, marking it as one of Khardal’s most notable live appearances.
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Khardal Live at Khane-Doost, Tehran (July 2022)
In July 2022, Khardal returned to the stage at Khane-Doost, a renowned cultural venue in the heart of Tehran that has hosted many prominent music groups. This performance marked an exciting new chapter for the band, as we introduced our new drummer Pouya Gholinejad, who joined us for the first time on stage.
The concert featured a selection of tracks from our debut album Reverse Silence, alongside previews of new, unreleased material from our upcoming record. The intimate yet vibrant atmosphere of Khane-Doost allowed us to connect closely with the audience, presenting both our established sound and our evolving musical direction.
As the band’s bass player and co-founder, I contributed to shaping the setlist and delivering a performance that highlighted Khardal’s fusion of funk, jazz, and progressive rock with Persian influences.
Khardal Trio Live at Lucky Clover Basement, Tehran (2017)
The first official performance of Khardal took place in 2017 at Lucky Clover Basement in Tehran. At that time, the band was presented as the Khardal Trio, consisting of the two founding members — Roozbeh Dashti and Danial Kooshki — along with Saeid Shariat on drums.
The concert featured early performances of pieces from what would later become our debut album Reverse Silence, before its official release. The intimate setting highlighted the raw energy and experimental direction of the band, marking Khardal’s entrance into the live music scene.
As the band leader and bass guitarist, I guided both the musical direction and stage presence of the group. This debut performance drew attention from media outlets and established Khardal as a promising new act in Tehran’s contemporary music landscape.
Khardal Live at Emarat Rooberoo, Tehran (May 2018)
In May 2018, Khardal performed at Emarat Rooberoo, one of Tehran’s most prominent cultural venues, located near Valiasr Square. Known for its dynamic arts programming, Rooberoo Mansion has hosted a wide range of acclaimed local and international artists — including Icelandic composer Ólafur Arnalds.
This concert took place prior to the release of our debut album Reverse Silence and was part of the Electro-Funk Night event. The evening featured several groups in diverse styles, with Khardal and Blue Phobos among the main acts, and the program’s opening set performed by Quiz.
As bass player and co-founder, I performed with Khardal as one of the headlining groups of the event, presenting material from our upcoming album in front of a culturally engaged audience. The performance helped introduce Khardal to Tehran’s wider music scene, placing us alongside other experimental and genre-bending acts.
Khardal Live at Bookland, Shiraz (Spring 2019)
Following the release of our debut album Reverse Silence, Khardal performed in the city of Shiraz as part of the Spring Music Festival organized by Bookland Shiraz. The concert took place in an open-air setting with a large audience and guest artists from across Iran, giving the event a strong cultural and touristic character.
In the same period, Shiraz had recently suffered from devastating floods. To mark this moment, Khardal dedicated its new single “Blue Days” to the victims of the disaster, a piece that carried both the band’s progressive rock influences and a deep emotional narrative.
As bass player and co-founder, I performed with the group in what became a milestone beyond Tehran, expanding Khardal’s recognition on a national level.
Khardal Live at the Music Club, House of Art, Shiraz (Spring 2019)
In the same season, Khardal also performed at the Spring Music Festival hosted by the Music Club at the House of Art in Shiraz. Unlike the larger outdoor stage at Bookland, this venue was smaller and more intimate, creating a close connection between the performers and the audience.
The event gathered musicians from across Iran as well as local artists from Shiraz, offering an opportunity for exchange and collaboration within a dedicated artistic community. The warm atmosphere and culturally engaged audience made this performance a memorable complement to Khardal’s larger festival appearance.
As the band’s bass player and co-founder, I performed with Khardal in a setting that highlighted the group’s versatility — from large outdoor festivals to intimate cultural spaces.
Khardal Research Performance at Adib Conservatory, Mashhad
Khardal was originally formed in the city of Mashhad, and for us it was culturally significant to be recognized within our own geography. Due to religious and governmental restrictions, public live music performances are effectively banned in Mashhad, forcing most musicians to leave the city to present their work.
Despite these obstacles, Khardal succeeded in organizing a research-based performance in instrumental funk at the Adib Music Conservatory, under the supervision of the Mashhad Music Association. Because of the band’s instrumental format and artistic approach, we were granted permission to present our work.
The event was unprecedented in Mashhad. It took place in two consecutive sold-out sessions on the same day, reflecting both the rarity of such performances in the city and the enthusiasm of the audience.
As the bass player and co-founder, I performed alongside guest musician Mohammad Reza Kazempour on keyboards and synthesizers. This performance not only highlighted our musical identity but also underscored the importance of making our work visible in the very city where it was created.
Navid Arbabian Live at Khane-Doost, Tehran (May 2022)
In May 2022, I performed as the bass guitarist with Navid Arbabian, a prominent solo artist known for his unique style that blends fusion and folk rock, at the cultural venue Khane-Doost in Tehran.
The lineup featured Amir Rahati on electric guitar and Majid Nezam Zia on drums, alongside Navid’s vocals and guitar. The concert presented a combination of Navid’s earlier works and new material that would later appear on the album 13.
The event drew a wide audience and created a memorable night of music, showcasing both Arbabian’s distinctive songwriting and the collaborative dynamic of the band.
Navid Arbabian & Band Live at Café Theatre, Shiraz (2022)
Following our concert in Tehran, the same lineup — Navid Arbabian (vocals, guitar), Amir Rahati (electric guitar), Majid Nezam Zia (drums), and myself on bass guitar — performed at the well-known Café Theatre in Shiraz, joined by Farzaneh Faghihi as guest vocalist alongside Navid.
Café Theatre has become an important cultural stage in Shiraz, hosting musicians and artists from across Iran. This concert presented both Navid’s earlier works and material from what would later become the album 13, offering the audience a glimpse of the band’s evolving sound.
The evening attracted a diverse crowd of music lovers and reinforced the group’s growing recognition beyond Tehran, adding to the national profile of the project.
Navid Arbabian & Band Live at Hilaj Acting School, Tehran (2022)
My final live performance in Iran took place with Navid Arbabian and a new lineup at the Hilaj Acting School in Tehran. I performed as the bass guitarist, alongside Navid on vocals and electric guitar and Farzaneh Faghihi on vocals.
The ensemble also featured Ali Baghfar — a renowned drummer from the band Minus One and the drummer on Navid’s earlier album Vahe — as well as a former member of the fusion group Kilometer 23. Guitarist Emad Lashgari joined the lineup, reviving songs from Kilometer 23 after years of silence. The setlist also included tracks from Navid’s catalogue and original songs by Farzaneh Faghihi.
Held over two consecutive sold-out nights, the performances marked an important cultural moment, drawing a wide audience and showcasing a unique blend of fusion, folk-rock, and progressive influences. For me, this concert represented not only a significant collaboration but also a memorable farewell to performing in Iran.
