Tehran - Islamic Iran might for the first time approve a concert of a Western pop artist in Tehran, the weekly magazine 40- Cheraq reported in its latest issue published Tuesday. The music department of the Culture Ministry, which is in charge of issuing permission for music releases and concerts, has principally approved the presence of Irish pop singer Chris de Burgh in Tehran and is currently evaluating a date and venue for a concert.
The Irishman and the Iranian band Arian recorded the song A Melody for Peace, which is supposed to reflect the "peace-loving Iranian spirit to the people of the world," according to the Iranian press.
It was the first time a music group from the Islamic state has played with a Western pop artist.
Previously, joint pieces had only been produced in the World Music genre, such as with British composer Michael Nyman.
Arian manager Mohsen Rajabpour told 40-Cheraq that he plans to have a performance by de Burgh either during the annual arts festival in February or at the latest in April.
The manager further plans to have the concert in one of the football stadiums in Tehran so that the numerous de Burgh fans in Iran could attend.
Observers believe that the government might issue a permit for a joint performance of the song A Melody for Peace but not for a whole concert with songs such as Lady in Red.
The peace song, which will be included in the next Arian album, is reportedly scheduled to premier in Tehran just before Christmas, but apparently without de Burgh.
Arian is the most successful pop group in Iran, and its concerts abroad have also found a wide resonance within Iranian expatriates.
Although Western pop music with vocals is forbidden in Iran, CDs by de Burgh can be legally purchased.
The Irishman is one of the most popular pop singers in Iran and a book with the Persian translation of his lyrics has been published.
Despite the ban on Western music and movies, both can easily be found as pirated copies on the black market at prices ranging between one and two dollars.
