The Fridge, a bare-bones venue located in a large, whimsical two-level warehouse in the heart of Al Quoz, prides itself on championing multi-genre indie talent. This season is no different.
They launched the latest slew of concerts showcasing regional talent on September 25, starting off with performances by pianist Philippe El Hage and percussionist Rawad Al Ahmadeyah.
But fear not if you missed the opening show — there’s still three more concerts you can catch before the end of October, ranging from belligerent rock and floaty summer vibes to West-East fusions and Chilean pop.
October 2: Ab Initio, The Losing Party
Think progressive, classic and alternative rock, kissed with a touch of jazzy blues, and you’ve got Ab Initio, a soulful Dubai-based band.
Ab Initio — Latin for ‘from the beginning’ — are a four-piece comprising of front man Jamil Jabbour, lead guitarist Alaa Faqir, bassist Anthony Mina and drummer Ratish Chada.
Opening the show will be the defiant duo The Losing Party, a progressive metal act who describe their music as “loud, beefy, attitude filled noise comprised of imperturbable riffs and monumentus [sic] guitar and drum solos.”
So, if you prefer your music heady, heavy and cathartic, this might be the perfect night for you.
October 9: As Per Casper, Jawaher
As Per Casper are the ideal summery band, no matter what season we’re actually in. They’re fronted by the Dubai-based singer-songwriter Carla, who dropped a career in finance to chase a lifelong dream of being a musician. Carla and her band give off a friendly, approachable vibe, and their music — including debut album Hit the Ground — is easy to listen to.
This particular show aims to bridge Western and Oriental genres, making good use of various instruments, from piano, strings, guitar and percussion to the darbukah, oud and trumpet.
Meanwhile, Jawaher, an all-female instrumental vocal group based in the UAE, will whip out their electric oud, too, just in case the night isn’t speckled with enough wide-ranging sound.
October 16: Vicente Allende & Friends – Album Showcase
Wrapping up this season’s concert series is Chilean singer Vincente Allende, who will put on a live showcase of music from his album Nuestro Amanecer (which translates to ‘Our Dawn’).
The 10-track record is a kaleidoscope of Latin ballads, Spanish pop, Rhumba beats and Flamenco grooves, taking listeners on an auditory journey that more-or-less summarises the life of Allende, whose style has often attracted comparisons to the Gypsy Kings.
Allende, who’s originally from Santiago, is based in the UAE.
The details
Entrance to each event at The Fridge is Dh50. Doors open at 7.30pm. Shows begin at 8pm.
