Local bands and Local music scene has been on rise in the UAE especially in Dubai. However, little attention is paid towards them where international singers frequently visit the city to hold the concerts. But the talented singers are hoping for the notice and the platform for reaching the success.
The city that glitters is regularly home to some of the biggest musicians on the planet. One Direction, Ed Sheeran, Kylie Minogue, Justin Bieber – just a smattering of the inexhaustible list of stars who have recently sauntered though Dubai’s revolving celebrity doors and performed at its world class venues.
But down in deepest, darkest Bur Dubai, one of the oldest parts of the city, local institution The Music Room is a world away from expensive pyrotechnics and lightshows. Famed for serving up homegrown musicians alongside its burgers, it’s a scene that doesn’t often feature elsewhere in the bustling city with their local music.
It’s an interesting point. Looking around the 250-strong crowd who have turned up to celebrate the one-year anniversary of local musician collective Musicians United, there’s no hint of the typical five-star Dubai finesse that can feel sterile after one dozen too many carbon copies. It’s dark, cosy, and full of colorful characters who primarily differentiate themselves through their hairstyles: mustaches, man-buns, afros, hipster beards, mohawks.
Oh, and it’s loud; the bill features eight bands, mostly rock variants.
Yamini Menon (centre left) and Vin Nair (centre right) thank fans for turning up to Musicians United’s one-year anniversary gig (Amanda Fisher)
How do Dubai’s local bands stack up?
It seems to be improving, but for Gelsi the gigs are more about the ambience.
But Musicians United are on a mission to prove that local musicians have the talent. The collective was set up in May 2014 by local musician Vin Nair – lead singer of the region’s first band signed to a major record label, Vin Sinners – and manager Yamini Menon.
There is no lack of talent in the country but the talents are getting dried up because of lack of opportunities. People need to do work to survive and along with that you need to polish your talent as well as local music.
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