# How Can Music Connect Generations? | Watar Band | TEDxBaghdad

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCmBWFikIYk
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/eCmBWFikIYk
Generated: 2026-02-17T17:09:20.453+00:00

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## Quick Overview

The Watar Band performed an acoustic set at TEDxBaghdad, sharing songs that reflected themes of love, longing, and connection, culminating in an emotional performance that resonated deeply with the audience, who captured moments on their phones.

**Key Points:**
- The Watar Band performed an acoustic musical set on the TEDxBaghdad stage, featuring three members playing string instruments and percussion.
- The central performer sang while seated on a cajón, accompanied by musicians playing a unique-looking stringed instrument (resembling an electric Oud or similar) and a standard acoustic guitar.
- The performance included several songs, notably one where the lyrics referenced Baghdad and Basra, expressing themes of love and longing ('يا غرامي', 'يا حبيبي').
- The audience actively engaged with the performance, with numerous attendees seen recording the set on their mobile phones, indicating high engagement.
- The stage setup featured large LED screens displaying the TEDxBaghdad logo and the event theme, 'Actions Speak Louder Than Words' (visible during the intro).
- The performance concluded with the band members expressing thanks to the audience and to the lyricist, Hider Al-Maliki and Al-Hani, for the song lyrics.

![Screenshot at 00:17: The three members of Watar Band are seated on stage performing under the TEDxBaghdad backdrop, with the lead singer playing the cajón center stage.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/eCmBWFikIYk/00-00-17.jpg)

**Context:** This video captures a musical interlude featuring the Watar Band performing live at a TEDxBaghdad event. The band presented an acoustic arrangement, contrasting with the main format of TED talks, using instruments like a cajón, an 8-stringed instrument (possibly an electric Oud variant), and an acoustic guitar. The performance served to connect with the audience emotionally through traditional or contemporary Arabic music, set against the backdrop of the TEDx branding and the theme 'Actions Speak Louder Than Words.'

## Detailed Analysis

The video documents a live musical performance by the Watar Band at the TEDxBaghdad event. The stage features three musicians: one vocalist/percussionist seated on a cajón (0:05:00, 1:20:00), one playing a distinctive, modern-looking 12-stringed instrument (resembling an electric Oud or bouzouki variant) on the left (0:17:50), and one playing an acoustic guitar on the right (0:06:00). The backdrop prominently displays the "TEDxBaghdad" logo against a deep blue and purple gradient. During the performance, the lyrics, sung in Arabic, touch upon themes of love, longing, and connection to Iraqi cities like Baghdad and Basra (1:04:00, 4:25:00). The audience is highly engaged, frequently holding up their phones to record the performance, as seen clearly in the wider shots (0:51:00). The segment concludes with the central performer thanking the lyricist, Hider Al-Maliki, and the musician Al-Hani (3:11:00), before the band takes a final bow and the audience applauds (2:59:00).

### Introduction & Branding

- Neon 'TEDxBaghdad' intro graphic
- TEDxBaghdad logo displayed on stage backdrop
- Event theme 'Actions Speak Louder Than Words' visible on screen (0:11:00)

### The Performance

- Watar Band performs acoustic set with three musicians
- Vocals and cajón in center (0:20:00)
- Oud-like instrument on left (0:34:00)
- Acoustic guitar on right (0:36:00)

### Audience Engagement

- Audience members actively recording the performance with mobile phones (0:51:00)
- Audience applauding after the song segment (2:59:00)

### Acknowledgements

- Performer thanks lyricist Hider Al-Maliki and musician Al-Hani (3:11:00)
- Band acknowledges the audience's appreciation (2:59:00)

![Screenshot at 0:02: 00:The glowing, stylized 'TEDxBaghdad' title card appears against a black background.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/eCmBWFikIYk/00-00-02.jpg)
![Screenshot at 0:11: 00:The stage is set with large LED screens displaying the TEDx branding and the event theme 'Actions Speak Louder Than Words'.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/eCmBWFikIYk/00-00-11.jpg)
![Screenshot at 0:17: 50:Close-up on the musician on the left playing a unique 12-stringed instrument, wearing yellow-tinted glasses.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/eCmBWFikIYk/00-00-17.jpg)
![Screenshot at 0:51: 00:Wide shot showing the full stage setup with the three musicians and the deeply engaged audience, many holding up phones.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/eCmBWFikIYk/00-00-51.jpg)
![Screenshot at 2:24: 00:Close-up on the guitarist/vocalist \(left\) smiling while playing his instrument.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/eCmBWFikIYk/00-02-24.jpg)