Four Mon music bands are ready to start their dry season tour, Kaowao has learned from the Mon community in Zobbu.

Mon music fans will have a chance to listen to a run of shows performed by the four bands including Geeta Mon, Geeta Anarghot, Power Music, and the Crocodile.  The new band "Crocodile" was formed this year by modern musicians led by Rehmarn, Banya Htaw, Lawee and Anagkhe.  However, the Geeta Alinka Band will not be able to take the stage said Hong Chan, because he's not been able to find a drummer.

Power Music Festival.

The Power Music rock band recently entertained at this year's Kyaik Maegweh Festival held in Kawdut while the newly formed, "Crocodile" performed for the first time at Thaung Pyin during Kyaik Maegweh Festival in southern Mon State.

Meanwhile, one of the most popular singers Zehan Mon is planning to form a new band but there have been no announcements on who will be the band's members.

Among the four bands, Geeta Mon has attracted the most attention and often performs at popular gatherings including at the Kathorn (Tansaungdaing) festival in Zobbu (Thanbyu Zayat).

According to Lawee, the Crocodile band hopes to take their music out on a wider run in reaching out not only to the local community but to the overseas Mon community.  Some Mon bands have stepped outside of their social boundaries in recent years and have travelled to Thailand to perform in outdoor concerts. Mon singers are popular among young migrant workers and teenagers.

Mon music is well liked by most teens in Mon State and many Mons have no interest in singing Burmese songs, according to Chan Nyi, a Mon youth leader from Thanbyu Zayat.

"To entertain to an audience on a wider scale, we need to coordinate not only among the Mons but also with other musicians," said Banyae Ong, a well known Mon song composer from Mon State.

With the aim to promote Mon music and to reach out to the general public effectively, the All Mon Music Association was formed 5 years ago.  The AMMA is led by popular singers Hong Chan and Zehan Mon and coordinates with traditional Mon musicians and dancing groups in various venues to build cooperation and partnership for the shows.