Mizzima News

New Delhi (Mizzima) - World famous Pop band Michael Learns to Rock is all set to tour Burma in December for a show sponsored by business tycoon Tayza’s Htoo Company in aid of victims of Cyclone Narigs, which lashed the country’s Irrawaddy delta in May 2008.

A Htoo Company official in Rangoon told Mizzima on Wednesday that discussions are through with the Band and permission is awaited from the authorities.

“My higher authorities are dealing with the Band, and Michael Learns to Rock (MLTR) has in principle agreed to come to Burma,” the official said.

However, the official website of the MLRT (www.mltr.dk) has not mentioned anything about its tour to Burma in its 2009 tour plan.

“I think they have not updated their website, because I know that the negotiations are on,” the official of Htoo company added.

The Pop band will be the first well-known international band to visit military-ruled Burma, according to the Joint Secretary of Myanmar Gitah Asiayone (Burma Music Association), Maung Thit Minn.

“If the show goes ahead as planned, it will be the first international Pop band to play in Burma,” said Maung Thit Minn adding that audiences are thrilled at the prospect of foreign bands visiting.

While the show is being planned for December, organizers said they are awaiting permission from the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement.

According to the Htoo Company official, the proceeds from the show will be donated for the construction of ‘Cyclone Shelters’ in the Irrawaddy delta.

The three members of the MRTL - Lead Singer Jascha Richter, Kare Wanscher and Mikkel Lentz - will all be visiting Burma, the official said.

MLTR gained popularity among Burmese fans with their songs “Sleeping Child”, “25 Minutes”, “Take Me To Your Heart”, “Blue Night” and “Paint my Love”.

With the easy-to-sing tunes, MLTR’s songs have been able to impress Burmese fans. Burmese singers, who translate MLTR’s songs into Burmese, are able to make a debut with their albums.

Reporting Salai Han Thar San, Writing and editing Mungpi