Since its inception, Soundbites has had its ear to the ground of the local music scene, listening out for its every beat. In 2015, it tracked everything from upcoming concert venues and new clubs to family-friendly festivals and promising musical releases. As December comes to an end, we take a look back at the biggest highlights of every month.
JANUARY
The hipster-friendly And Lounge opened its doors on the ground floor of the Address Hotel in Dubai Marina. The spot is intimate and cosy, and feels like an old living room with its mismatched sofas and small coffee tables. And Lounge has since welcomed indie acts from around the world as part of its Friday night series, The Other Side.
FEBRUARY
The international festival Piknic Electronik arrived in Dubai, three years after it kicked off in Spain. The fest, characterised by all-day electronic sets, had four editions in 2015. A family affair, it included activities such as hula hooping, face painting and bouncy castles as well as yoga classes. The second season starts on January 23, and will run every Saturday until April 2 at the Address Montgomerie Golf Course. The line-up has yet to be announced. For more, check out piknicelectronik.ae.
Dubai-based singer Pimms Brooke dropped her first single in February, the house track Not Giving Up. Her upcoming debut album, Under the Layers, is still in the works. “I wrote [my first song] based on relationships of today. That there are real people left in the world who do know the meaning of love.” Despite the dancey tune, her sound is jazz-soul. To listen, check out pimmsbrooke.com.
MARCH
A new concert venue will open in Dubai, announced Al Ahli Holding Group and events promoter Thomas Ovesen in March. More information has since been given to tabloid!. The 25,000 capacity venue is set to open in 2017 on Al Ain Road by Dubai Outlet Mall. It will bring more concerts to the city. In the meantime, a temporary, 20,000 capacity “green fields” venue will be set up in the same area, with events held as soon as March, 2016.
APRIL
Dubai-based metal band Svengali released an EP, Theory of Mind, on March 17 online; it was distributed in Virgin Megastores in April. They described the album as “genreless” — vocalist Adnan Mryhij said they included “some straight up pop parts in there with straight up thrash metal and death metal.” If you haven’t yet, check out the album at svengali.me.
MAY
Emirati talent DJ Bliss, born Marwan Parham Al Awadhi, was signed to Universal Music MENA this year, and released his debut single, Shining, in May. The catchy R&B tune featured American rapper MIMS and Kuwaiti singer Daffy. To hear the song, check out djbliss.com. Bliss will be behind the decks at People by Crystal Dubai on New Year’s Eve.
JUNE
Electropop trio UAT — United Arab Talent — were also signed to Universal Music MENA. Lebanese singer Nina Abdul Malek, French-Tunisian rapper Bashir “Tunisiano” Baccour and Saudi hip hop artist Tareq Ali Foudah released their first single, Mashiha (Let It Be), in June. The full album, Jawhar Al Hayat (Jewel of Life), dropped in October. To give it a listen, check out facebook.com/UATofficial.
Multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Adam Baluch released a feel-good EP in June, mixing jazz, funk and pop. He told tabloid! “the best way to describe it is “alternative soul”. It does have a bit of a soul feel, but it’s got acoustic guitars in it, it’s a bit folky in some of it, and a lot of it is a bit more groove-based. To give it a listen, check out https://soundcloud.com/adam-baluch/.
JULY
Movida nightclub launched in Dubai (Nassima Royal Hotel, SZR) in 2011, but it underwent major renovations this year. It reopened in July. The spot has a more limited capacity, a sleeker interior and a stricter door policy. It’s summed up with three words “exclusivity, luxury and glamour,” and the music oscillates between hip-hop, house and everything in between. For reservations, call 055-1744449.
AUGUST
Alice is a bizarre Alice in Wonderland-based dinner show that’s been running at The Act in Shangri-La since August. It’s every Tuesday and Wednesday, starting at 9pm until around midnight. The enthralling and interactive acrobatic performance, priced at Dh495, is accompanied by a three-course meal — Peruvian meets Japanese — and select beverages. It has been extended until the end of January. For reservations, contact 04-3551116 or reservations@theactdubai.com.
SEPTEMBER
Dubai-based, Nigerian-born singer Ash Hamman filmed a six-figure music video in Dubai. The video, for his song Wahala (Trouble), featured 13 exotic cars (privately owned and rented), including G Wagons, Ferraris, Bentleys, Porsches, McLarens and Lamborghini Aventadors. Two speedboats and three luxury cruising yachts were also featured. It launched on YouTube on September 11 and now has nearly 70,000 views. For more, check out facebook.com/Ash.Hamman.
OCTOBER
Egyptian teenager Nathalie Saba was signed to Sony Music Middle East this year, and released her debut single, Snow, in October. The song mixes Western pop with Arabic melodies, and Saba’s emotive voice has drawn comparisons to the likes of Lorde. Its music video was created by UAE-based AFM, the production company of UAE director Ali Mostafa. Check it out at facebook.com/NathalieSabaOfficial.
NOVEMBER
Dubai-based Indian teenager Esther Eden was signed to Universal Music MENA this year. But she already had a small reputation as the young singer who was called up on stage by Jessie J during music festival RedFestDXB in 2014. Now Eden is working on her debut album, which doesn’t stick to her usual down-tempo pop and acoustic music, but features electro dance music, too. Check out her covers and latest news at esthereden.com.
Noir Lounge opened its doors at Kempinski Hotel in Mall of the Emirates in November, modelled after the speakeasies of the 1920s. The lounge and terrace fit up to 250 people and the interior is reminiscent of New York City. Two resident DJs play a mix of house and lounge, with Latin American beats thrown in. Outside, a cinema projection loops film noir footage and fashion clips. For bookings, contact info@noir-dubai.com or call 04-4095222.
DECEMBER
Treehouse lounge opened its doors on the third floor of the Taj Hotel in Business Bay on the 9th, with unobstructed views of the Burj Khalifa. It’s an intimate spot that surrounds a large fireplace, “a lush garden in the middle of the concrete jungle that Downtown Dubai is”. Music mixes house, 70s and 80s. For more, contact 050-6483083.
Vii Club opened its doors on December 17, with a performance by Sean Kingston, at the Conrad Hotel on SZR. Its catchphrase is “class is timeless”, as the club owner, Rocky Bhatia, aims to infuse an old-world charm into the Dubai club scene. The music is a mix of commercial house, top 40, pop and R’n’B. For more, contact info@noir-dubai.com or call 04-4095222.)
