It's ten years since Bastille's smash hit debut album Bad Blood was released, since when the band's characteristic blend of cinematic, melancholic pop has turned them into global stars. So do they still sound as good, or indeed as relevant? [ ... ]
Now this should be a lot of fun. The ensemble (usually five trombones, generally unaccompanied) are a group of young and driven Belgian musicians whose repertoire mixes classical and jazz styles infused with cinematic and pop elements. The short gig, [ ... ]
Genre-blurring musical collective Snarky Puppy is in town for one night only. Playing together since 2004 and led by bassist Michael League, Snarky Puppy combines a variety of jazz idioms, rock, world music, and funk that has won it five [ ... ]
A rare chance to hear one of the genuine legends of the mixing deck, the British DJ, producer, remixer, and label head is one of the most important figures in the history of dance music – in terms both of [ ... ]
The new Fridge Concert season opens with Bayou, "an Egyptian singer songwriter who can’t be confined to genres or borders" though we're told his music blends R&B beats and hip-hop. Support comes from Roxane – "raw yet intentional, vulnerable yet [ ... ]
The Filipino indie rock/bedroom pop band Merge play their last UAE gig. Also on the bill: R&B/jazz act Kelly and more indie rock from the underrated Charlie 119.
This should be a good night: Bull Funk Zoo is usually excellent, mixing hard rock with funk and some indie strains of occasional psychedelia. But frankly it is mostly hard rock: "imagine a big bad bull rocking out, fornicating & [ ... ]
Another good local band, Billu and the Brownies delivers high-energy dance vibes like few others. Also on the bill is sultry-voiced soul/R&B songstress Chelsey Chantelle.
Dina Stars closes out Series 42 with her dynamic performance and a set that runs the gamut from power ballads to dance-pop. Support comes from singer-songwriter Yohaan Samuel.
The Fridge Concert Series has always been A Good Thing – typically new(ish) and local(ish) artists given a decent set in a well-equipped space with a supportive audience. Season 43 kicks off with Dubai-based British singer/songwriter Lexie, offering pop and [ ... ]
A long evening session of feel-good techno and house from the uber-hip Berlin-based South Korean DJ/producer. Why masquerave? Because you get to wear masks, from a collection inspired by the animal characters in the Louvre's current From Kalila Wa Dimna [ ... ]
The Fridge Concert Series has always been A Good Thing – typically new(ish) and local(ish) artists given a decent set in a well-equipped space with a supportive audience – but for International Jazz Day the bookers have made something of [ ... ]
The Fridge Concert Series gives the Dubai-based singer-songwriter an evening for her 2022 album Qisse – a musical journey of self-love and acceptance, with songs in Hindi, Tamil and English, and slick modern production values that are noticaebly rooted in [ ... ]
Alserkal Avenue is being taken over for this weekend's evenings by a food festival involving the Avenue's own F&B outlets and a mass of invited incomers. Should be good – and the highlight of the first evening will probably be [ ... ]
The Fridge Concert Series has always been A Good Thing – typically new(ish) and local(ish) artists given a decent set in a well-equipped space with a supportive audience. Here's pop and indie band Talkintoys, formed in 2018 in the UAE [ ... ]
A rare chance to see an unusual, indeed exceptional hip hop artist at work. Oddisee has always ploughed his own furrow – making his own music for the last 20 years and running his own label now, avoiding the temptations [ ... ]
The British-Emirati singer-songwriter (and occasional filmmaker) Layla Kaylif celebrates the 25th anniversary of her hit single Shakespeare in Love with this one-night-only gig. (Hopefully it will include her very cool Arabic version of Hallelujah as well.) Joining her will be [ ... ]
Classic Arts Center programming for this End of Summer Dance Party in the Black Box theatre – a genre-defying concert that puts two very different kinds of artist in each half. From Gaye Su Akyol you get an innovative mix [ ... ]
A second evening of the End of Summer Dance Party in the Black Box theatre – a genre-defying concert that puts two very different kinds of artist in each half. From Gaye Su Akyol you get an innovative mix of [ ... ]
The Fridge gig series kicks off with the totally brilliant David Sagamon, aka SD Drum Show. He sometimes plays with a small band, sometimes alone with a rhythm box; he's great at just about all musical styles, but exceptional at [ ... ]
The Fridge gig series continues with the Dubai-based Filipino dream/synth-pop band WYWY (X Alvarez on vocals and xylophone, Mckie on guitar and bass). They've been around for a while, not least at previous Fridge Concerts; but their rather good debut [ ... ]
The Fridge gig series continues with the hard-working singer, writer, and "professional entertainer" Chinua Hawk. He has appeared around the world, featured on the Kanye West-produced Talib Kweli hip hop classic 'Get By', and has been a backup singer for [ ... ]
The Fridge gig series continues with the Saudi-born Canadian-raised pop singer-songwriter who blends East and West easily in his music, borrowing from RnB, hip-hop, Afro and Saudi Arabia ('molham' is Arabic for 'inspired', incidentally).
The reinvented (and genuinely rejuvenated) pop sensation – Murder on the Dancefloor was a hit for her in 2001, for heaven's sake – drops in for one night only midway through an international tour that has seen sellouts around Europe [ ... ]
A gig at Atlantis for one of the big-name EDM producer/DJs who really does merit the acclaim. Last time he was here, he sold out the place and delivered a great 150-minute performance with a terrific lights-and-lasers show and more [ ... ]
The era-defining British rap artist Mike Skinner makes his Dubai debut with his band (also called The Streets). He's been quiet for a while, mostly DJing and working on a film that he largely wrote and directed himself (The Darker [ ... ]
An unplugged line-up including Jedd Perlata, Ana Silva and Doza for this laid-back beach club on Palm Jumeirah. The AED 50 tickets include one drink.
The Fridge's series of showcase concerts continues with a Dubai-does-Scotland vibe. Headlining are The Elidas, twins Venice and Belle, who do lo-fi Scottish indie-folk with great harmonies and strong original material – a new single is promised for this gig [ ... ]
The Fridge's series of showcase concerts features the super-talented Zeina Aftimos – a Syrian-Greek singer who draws inspiration from the Shaabi music of the Levant, adds a contemporary style, and sings in Arabic, French, and English, Supporting comes as Arabic [ ... ]
The Fridge's series of showcase concerts closes with Emirati soul singer Arqam – six hit singles to date. Support comes in the form of Polynesian from Vahimiti, debuting two tracks from her upcoming album.
A reggae evening with the dynamic five-piece, with a repertoire that spans reggae history from Bob Marley to Lucky Dube, (plus a bit of UB40 pop-reggae and their own songs). These guys know how to have a lot of fun [ ... ]
The latest edition of the Fridge's showcase gig series gets under way with poetic R&B-adjacent Arabic rap from Alexandria's Scander X. Support comes from Cairo rapper Blue Saif.
The Fridge's series of showcase concerts continues with Ukrainian pop powerhouse Allexa Bash – echoes of Kate Bush and Adele – with her new single 'Hurricane' plus songs from her debut album Dark Angels. Support comes from singer-songwriter Joe Girvin [ ... ]
The Fridge's series of showcase concerts concludes with high-class jazz-fusion from Egyptian pianist Rami Attallah with Rony Afif on drums and David Bernabelaand on bass. Special guests Mohamad Hosny (oud) and Artur García (sax) should make it a good night [ ... ]
The Fridge's showcase gig series continues with smooth R&B from Prince VA, who for the first time plays here with a full live four-piece, Support comes from Theo Thomson and more soulful R&B.
The Fridge's showcase gig series continues with Hadi X and a completely new show that moves between EDM drops and quiet indie songwriting. Support comes from Ma2am, "reshaping how Arabic music sounds today ... through deep rhythm, raw emotion, and reworked rap [ ... ]
It doesn’t get much more Italian than this: singer-songwriter Peppe Voltarelli – known for a unique musical style that blends various genres, primarily focusing on Italian folk, world music, and pop but still manages to reflect his Calabrian roots.– teams [ ... ]
Dubai's very own Brazilian pop star Luisa Winck launches her new album Eternity at The Fridge, a powerful blend of R&B, Brazilian soul, and cinematic vocals.
A really interesting evening of contrasting but complementary music by performers who are all making their UAE debuts. Ballaké Sissoko & Derek Gripper Malian virtuoso Ballaké Sissoko has taken over the mantle of greatest living kora master, with an ability [ ... ]
Neapolitan folk from a band known for its powerful stage presence and an exuberant party groove. Ars Nova Napoli offers a unique reinterpretation of traditional songs from southern Italy plus their own compositions. Expect skilled harmonies and instrumental interplay; should [ ... ]
First of two jazz-ish gigs on consecutive nights at Al Noor Island. This one features the Lebanese-American singer-songwriter (and Artistic Director of Berklee Abu Dhabi) Mayssa Karaa (above); fluent in eight languages and with hits in several of them, she [ ... ]
Second of near-jazz gigs on consecutive nights at Al Noor Island. This one features Ars Nova Napoli (below), the Italian nu-folk funsters (traditional Neapolitan rhythms with a modern twist) who really do know how to throw a party; and the [ ... ]
A live solo performance by the Lebanese-Armenian neo-classical pianist and composer (and a member of the Jameel team) for his latest album, MO(VE)MENT, which was released at the end of last year. Kurumilian says his music engages with questions of [ ... ]
The Tasty Biscuits bring three years of soul and living-room setups to the stage, with a soulful, intimate showcase of original music and a guest roster that provides a who's-who of indie music in the UAE – Gaya, Abri, Tac, [ ... ]
"An avant-garde concept, electrifying soundscapes, and themed masks, bringing together art, architecture, and nightlife for a truly unique after-hours experience ..." Third time out for the Louvre's club night, featuring a DJ set from the Blaze at 10pm with techno [ ... ]
Filipino indie folk-pop band known for soulful melodies and rich harmonies come to the Main Stage at Global Village. The gig is free with general admission.
Four locally based metal bands – a decade of UAE metal history, from the well-established Verdict and April to relative newcomers Triton and 2024 NYUAD Battle of the Bands winner Stowaways. Says the Fridge: "Metal has always had a way [ ... ]
A Palestinian-Lebanese singer-songwriter, dancer, life coach and clothing-line owner, Domina has spent nearly a decade writing music about the same territory she works in professionally – mental health, shadow work, and the slow process of becoming yourself. Her sound draws [ ... ]
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