Velvet Revolver and Muse steal the show on Day two of the DDRF

Day two of the Dubai Desert Rock Festival attracted a slightly older and different type of crowd to Dubai Festival City, where fans of hard rock bands such as Muse and Velvet Revolver had come from all corners of the world to see them perform live for the first time in the emirate.

Proud

The Shamal winners started off the day with Spoon Feedas following closely behind. Festival-goers frolicked by the food stands while others enjoyed dancing in the Infusion Dance Tent where house music almost drowned out the sounds from the stage. VIP guests (and those without fear of heights) got a chance to enjoy a drink with a birds-eye view of the festival six metres above ground in the suspended bar that
hung casually from a massive crane.

Dubai-based band Juliana Down was next up playing songs from their latest album Cause and Effect with Sol on the keyboards, Abdul on drums, Ray on the guitar and Sari on bass. Lead singer Dia did his usual rock-out shenanigans on stage giving Dubai even more reason to be proud of our home-grown band.

Catching up with Dia after their show, the singer said he was delighted to be able to play on the same stage as some of the world's biggest rock stars.

'Refreshing start'

"It feels like a refreshing start because when we first played at Desert Rock a few years ago, we were not on the same maturity level with music. We feel that we've learnt a lot. So this year's Desert Rock has been very different for us. This could be a milestone of a new thing… and just the fact that we're playing with such big bands, it's great,'' Dia said.

Next up was Marky Ramone and his band who rocked the stage and showed the audience what made him and the
Ramones legends in punk rock 30 years ago.

Jittery

As the stage was cleared and made ready for Velvet Revolver with Slash on the guitar and Scott Weiland fronting the band, the crowd got jittery with excitement. They finally came on stage and people roared as they heard some of the old famous hits blended with new ones from their recent album Libertad.

The Grammy Award-winning hard rock band also played some of their most famous songs from their critically
acclaimed debut album Contraband. Ex-Guns N' Roses member Slash, with his signature long, black curly hair
and funky top hat, rocked his guitar furiously as former Stone Temple Pilots singer Weiland belted out some old classics. When they finally left the stage, the crowd was well and truly warmed up and ready for the headlining act of the night, English alternative rock band Muse.

Frenzy

Before anyone noticed the band appeared on stage. People were waiting in line for food or relaxing on the ground when suddenly the first sounds of a guitar shook the arena. Fans jumped to their feet in a frenzy to get closer to the stage for the first song and people came running from all corners of the venue looking confused as to whether it truly was Muse who were already playing. Indeed, it was. Lead singer
Matthew Bellamy was already fully engulfed in his music, singing the lyrics: "No one's going to take me alive…'' with his intense and nostalgic voice.

Being only a three-man band, the stage looked a bit bare, but Bellamy's charisma and musical prowess stole the show completely. It was impossible to look away as the singer played his guitar while kicking in the air or dropping to his knees.

Twenty-six-year-old Josh Sprague, a visitor from the US who was hearing Muse for the first time, was in awe: "I've never heard any of this, but that dude is a rockstar! He plays the piano, the guitar and his vocals are amazing,'' he said.
Bellamy sang the biggest hits from the band's four albums, including songs from the latest album Black Holes and Revelations, the band's most critically acclaimed record. Songs such as Supermassive Black Hole, Starlight, Plug In Baby and Time is Running Out made the crowds go wild as they sang along to the lyrics.

On fire

Bellamy, who is known for his dynamic and energetic performances, was on fire as he switched between guitars continuously and even played some tunes on a white piano while singing through a megaphone. The sound effects were awesome with the lead singer tapping the guitar harmonics-style or using a slide on the strings to create an almost eerie, echoing sound.

Drummer Dominic Howard was going wild in the back as he crashed his drumsticks down to create the perfect beat. He was more talkative than Bellamy and addressed the crowd saying: "Hello Dubai, thanks for having us!'' Bellamy, who had his eyes closed almost the entire time while singing, finally spoke to his fans saying: "Thank you very much, cheers!''

Smoke effects

The band returned for an encore with Stockholm Syndrome and while the final tunes from the guitar resonated from the speakers, billowing smoke effects engulfed Bellamy as he left the stage blowing a kiss to the crowd. Howard followed closely behind him and before disappearing he grabbed the microphone saying: "You guys rock, Dubai. We'll be back next time. Cheers!''

Muse backstage

Lead singer of Muse Matthew Bellamy and drummer Dominic Howard met a handful of lucky fans backstage after their spectacular show. The two had changed and freshened up before entering the room where their fans were waiting patiently. Looking relaxed and happy, Bellamy and Howard greeted everyone and gladly signed T-Shirts and posters.
People had their photo taken with the rock stars who chatted freely and even seemed a little shy with the attention. Unfortunately, photos were not allowed to be taken of their show, hence the lack of them with this article.

No downs, just ups

I met up with Juliana Down's lead singer Dia after their show at the Dubai Desert Rock Festival. The Lebanese-born musician was in high spirits as he talked about their music.
"We're working on a new album that's out soon. But we're not sure of the title yet. We might call it Love Songs for Monkeys,'' he said. The band is planning to release the album in May or June as they are planning to go on tour in the summer to Italy, England and possibly South Africa. They even have a possible opening gig for Bon Jovi, but it's not confirmed yet.
growing

Regardless of the international gigs, they are still proud to be a part of the growing music scene in Dubai.

"Dubai is attracting a lot of talent, especially when it comes to music. We always wanted to ride the wave of development in Dubai. We feel that being a local band hopefully we're contributing to that. Dubai is growing massively and we just hope we can cope with what's happening around us and show a good image of the youth of this country and show that it's not only about new cars and bling, but about the talents in
music,'' he said.

Juliana Down have been actively playing music for some years now. They played at the first Dubai Desert Rock Festival in 2004 and have since opened for big acts such as Justin Timberlake.

Kitchen

And, according to Dia, it all starts in the kitchen. "We write our songs in the kitchen and I'll tell you a secret: Cause and Effect was recorded in the kitchen,'' he laughed. "Everything you hear on the record are true stories of what's happened with us. To write songs, I sometimes push myself to the edge to go and experience something or hurt myself a little
bit to feel what other people feel as well,'' he said.

Grateful

With their single Good For Nothing from their latest album Cause and Effect in high rotation on the airwaves, Dia is grateful for their fans. "I want to say thanks to the people who are supporting us here, and remember that there are other local bands, who also deserve some support, like Sandwash,'' he said.

Visit www.julianadown.com for more information.