Who said gigs had to break the bank?
If you're yet to discover Wednesday Night Live, then now's the time before the weather gets too hot. Until May 6, Festival Centre hosts local live acts every, yes you guessed it, Wednesday night on its floating stage. And it's all for free. So far, the likes of Jennifer Gove and The Meerkats have performed. But there's more to come, including MC hip-hop collective, The Recipe, as well as Dahab.
Emirates Business had a chat with organiser Zahra Soar to find out more.
How's the event going ?
It's going really well, particularly for the under 21 year olds as it is a weekly gig they don't have to pay for and can actually attend.
How did the idea of the event come about?
It wasn't my concept, but Festival Centre contacted me and said they wanted to put on free showcases by musicians here in Dubai. Free concerts of original music for all ages is something that almost never happens in the UAE so I leapt at the chance to organise them.
How did you pick the artists who perform?
I tried to pick artists from all genres: hip-hop, reggae, punk, jazz, folk, and Arabic fusion. This was important because I wanted these free showcases to reflect the multiculturalism that exists in the UAE.
Are people finally beginning to realise the area has homegrown talent?
Yes, and it's great. Local events are exactly what the community wants and needs. Enough with the expensive international concerts; talent is right here.
The gigs are free. How is it being supported, especially in these economic times when there is a lack of sponsors?
Festival Centre definitely is one of the best supporters of original music in the UAE. The current economic downturn does make it harder to find sponsors. I think it's a case of knowing your event, knowing your market and finding a sponsor who wants the same things as you.
About Zahra
Dubai's live music scene is almost always associated with one name, and that's Zahra Soar, who has been in Dubai for more than 20 years.
The British 26-year-old is known for her efforts in championing acts in the region through various means, including radio and open mic nights.
Although her list of favourite local artists is "endless", some of Zahra's top acts at the moment include Gayathri, Private Government, Universal Rogue and The Recipe.
If you're a local artist and would like to get in touch, you can do so by emailing [email protected]
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