Eminem to headline fifth edition of Saudi Arabia’s MDLBEAST Soundstorm
Eminem to headline fifth edition of Saudi Arabia’s MDLBEAST Soundstorm/node/2551896/lifestyle
Eminem to headline fifth edition of Saudi Arabia’s MDLBEAST Soundstorm
MDLBEAST’s Soundstorm festival, returning to rock Banban, Riyadh from Dec. 12 – 14 for its fifth edition, announced superstar rapper Eminem as its headlining act. (Supplied)
Eminem to headline fifth edition of Saudi Arabia’s MDLBEAST Soundstorm
Updated 20 July 2024
Arab News
DUBAI: MDLBEAST’s Soundstorm festival, returning to rock Banban, Riyadh from Dec. 12–14 for its fifth edition, announced superstar rapper Eminem as its headline act.
Joining Eminem in the lineup will be US rock band Thirty Seconds to Mars, British rock legends Muse, Swiss DJ duo Adriatique (Adrian Shala and Adrian Schweizer), German DJ Boris Brejcha, Italian DJ Marco Carola, British-Canadian DJ Richie Hawtin and many more.
As the region’s biggest music festival, Soundstorm delivers a vibrant mix of music styles and genres from around the world.
Ramadan Al-Haratani, CEO of MDLBEAST, said in a statement: “Soundstorm, the region’s biggest music festival, has successfully made a remarkable impact on the regional and global music scene, making it an eagerly anticipated annual festival for music fans worldwide.
“This has contributed to enhancing the Kingdom’s position in the music entertainment sector.”
Alana Hadid puts spotlight on Palestinian stories through production company
Documentary ‘Walled Off’ is movie firm’s debut offering
Watermelon Pictures founded with Badie and Hamza Ali
Updated 26 August 2024
Raffi Boghosian
LOS ANGELES: Alana Hadid, often only recognized as the sister of supermodels Gigi and Bella Hadid, is amplifying her own voice for the Palestinian cause.
Deeply passionate about her heritage, Hadid has been using her platform to bring attention to the struggles of the Palestinian people, particularly in the light of the ongoing events in Gaza.
Her activism is not restricted to just the online space; it is a deeply personal commitment to highlighting the stories that matter, she said.
“I was always hearing stories, stories about the cities and the towns that their ancestors helped build. The lives that they had and their lives as refugees and then eventually in the United States.
“But I was very proud, always proud of being a Palestinian. That was what I learned as a child,” Hadid told Arab News.
Shifting her focus to filmmaking, Hadid — along with brothers Badie Ali and Hamza Ali — co-founded Watermelon Pictures, a production company with a mission to create compelling, impactful stories that resonate with global audiences.
Through her work in film, she aims to bridge the gap between mainstream media and the often-overlooked narratives of the Palestinian people.
“I was honored to be asked to be the creative director of Watermelon Pictures. I think it’s not only a passion project for Hamza and Badie, but it is an opportunity for Palestinians to have a place to go to tell their stories.
“I get emotional about it. I think it’s just one of the most beautiful things that people have a place where they can put their stories. And we know that we have a safe place for that,” said Hadid.
The production company’s debut project, the 2024 documentary “Walled Off,” delves into the realities of life under occupation, offering a poignant and raw look at the experiences of Palestinians.
“The Waldorf Hotel’s design is by the graffiti artist Banksy. It contains a secret museum. And essentially the hotel has a view of what we call the worst view in the world, the apartheid wall.
“So really, this hotel provides the framework for the film and just demonstrates the difficulty of living under military occupation,” said Hadid.
Through this film and her future projects, Hadid seeks to amplify marginalized voices and bring a human face to the political issues that often dominate headlines.
“Watch our social media and our website to see what’s coming next. But we have a lot of stories. We haven’t heard these stories and these stories have been censored for so long.
“So, we’ve been flooded with not only movies that have already been made that really need to be seen, but also with filmmakers, actors, editors. And we’re really excited to just be a hub for that for Palestinians,” she said.
AlUla’s rich cultural heritage beckons travelers from far and wide
Geological diversity, inscriptions and rock carvings are attractions
Hegra, the UNESCO World Heritage site, features Nabatean tombs
Updated 26 August 2024
Arab News
JEDDAH: Culture is a fundamental component of the tourism offering in AlUla, which is situated in the Kingdom’s northwest, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
Every visitor to AlUla is eager to learn about the region’s ancient heritage, reflected in its rich history spanning thousands of years. This makes it a bucket-list destination for history and travel enthusiasts.
AlUla is centered around an ancient town that emerged in the 12th century, featuring around 900 houses built from mud bricks, the SPA reported.
In the past, trade caravans laden with incense passed nearby, overlooking palm oases with around 3 million trees.
A towering fortress, standing 45 meters tall, was constructed within it, serving as a watchtower and defensive fortification for the town’s wall, which included 14 gates, the report explained.
The town now has several local shops, restaurants and cafes, providing a retreat for families and tourists from various countries.
The old town of AlUla was selected as one of the best tourist villages in the world by the World Tourism Organization in 2022, among 32 from around the globe, for meeting all the selection criteria.
AlUla offers its visitors numerous tourism options. Amidst its natural landscape distinguished by geological diversity and stunning rock formations, visitors can experience desert trips, camping, stargazing in its clear skies, nature reserves, and mountain climbing.
Jabal Ikmah is one of the most prominent historical sites in AlUla, popularly dubbed “the largest open-air library” in the Arabian Peninsula due to its hundreds of ancient inscriptions and rock carvings.
At the same time, visitors can explore historical and archaeological sites, most notably the Hegra area, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here one can discover Nabatean tombs, various inscriptions, and excavation sites.
Every year, the Royal Commission for AlUla organizes several diverse artistic and cultural events, including the upcoming Winter at Tantora Festival.
The event features traditional sports of horseback archery and tent pegging, as well as exploratory tours, art and cultural exhibitions, including the Ancient Kingdoms Festival, and much more.
French Algerian singer Lolo Zouai goes goth at ‘The Crow’ premiere
Updated 26 August 2024
Arab News
DUBAI: French Algerian singer-songwriter Lolo Zouai embraced gothic fashion on the red carpet at the New York premiere of the upcoming comic book adaptation, “The Crow.”
Zouai, who divides her time between Brooklyn and Los Angeles, took to Instagram to share images of her all-black, lacy ensemble.
“The Crow,” by filmmaker Rupert Standers, stars Bill Skarsgard as Eric Draven, who is murdered alongside his girlfriend Shelly, played by singer-songwriter FKA Twigs in her second feature film role.
Existing somewhere between life and death, Eric transforms into the invincible superhero known as The Crow, who is determined to avenge the tragedy and sacrifice himself to rescue Shelly. Sanders’ new adaptation of James O’Barr’s comic book series arrives 30 years after the original 1994 film.
Meanwhile, Zouai, known for her unique blend of R&B, club-pop and hip-hop, has gained an international fanbase for her dynamic stage presence and genre-blending music.
Her career highlights include the release of her debut album, “High Highs to Low Lows,” in 2019 and her follow-up album “PLAYGIRL” in 2022.
In April, Zouai took to Instagram to celebrate the five-year anniversary of her debut album. “Happy 5 years to the album that started it all,” she wrote. “Thank you to all my lil lo-riders for being on this ride with me from the beginning.”
To celebrate the milestone, Zouai brought back merchandise pieces originally created at the time of her debut album, including some signed clothing.
Second album “PLAYGIRL,” released in October 2022, featured 13 songs. The singer was featured on a billboard in New York’s Times Square and she shared a video of herself posing in front of it.
“I always said that one day, I would be on a billboard in Times Square. Today is that day,” she said in the short clip.
An expansive tour in 2023 included 30 dates across North America and Europe, including the US, Canada, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands.
Museum of Islamic Art exhibition to showcase new works by artists from Qatar and Morocco
Updated 25 August 2024
Rebecca Anne Proctor
DUBAI: An exhibition presenting the artistic visions of designers from Qatar and Morocco will open at the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar.
“Crafting Design Futures” will open on Nov. 30 as part of the Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture.
On show will be specially created works by nine designers from Qatar and Morocco, with characteristics intrinsic to each maker’s homeland and culture.
Moroccan artist Hmaza Kadiri in his studio. (Courtesy of Design Doha 2024)
Curated by Gwen Farrelly, the exhibition, which runs until Jan. 7, 2025, will feature new works by designers from Qatar and Morocco created during Design Doha Residency Program 2024 Qatar | Morocco: Crafting Design Futures.
The residency program, staged under the auspices of Design Doha, a biennial event launched in 2024 to creative innovation from the Middle East and North Africa region, aims to foster long-term exchanges of knowledge, craft and design practices.
“A key objective of the biennial is to establish networks of exchange and collaboration among regional designers, which is where the Design Doha Residency Qatar | Morocco: Crafting Design Futures plays a crucial role,” Farrelly said. “This program explores the connections between contemporary craft practices and innovative design through an exchange between Moroccan and Qatari makers.”
Majdulin Nassrallah in front of artwork by Sara Ouhaddou. (Courtesy of Design Doha 2024)
Designers based in Qatar include Nada Elkharashi, Reema Abu Hassan, Majdulin Nassrallah and Abdulrahman Al-Muftah, all of whom interpreted traditional Moroccan craft-making skills acquired during the exchange program to design multifunctional installations, products and artistic displays, while also highlighting important cultural narratives.
Simultaneously, in Morocco, Amine Asselman, Bouchra Boudoua, Amine El-Gotaibi, Hamza Kadiri and Sara Ouhaddou focused on earthworks, textiles, wood craftsmanship, ceramic and glass installations and pottery.
Through the residency artists offered a first-hand experience for participants to learn from expert artisans and craftspeople in each country.
The Moroccan artists participated in a two-week research residency in Qatar at the Liwan Design Studios & Labs and Torba Farm, immersing themselves in the local culture and traditions.
Participants from Qatar, in turn, traveled to Morocco, visiting studios and artisan schools in Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech and Fes to gain insights and inspiration from the rich Moroccan craft traditions.
The designers from both countries, Al-Obaidly said, “immersed themselves in each other’s craft traditions — ranging from ceramics to textiles — and developed new works that reflect and support the heritage and contemporary practices of their cultures.”
Abdulrahman Al-Muftah’s work, for example, incorporated wood — a material that is not commonly associated with Qatar.
“It was so valuable to our ancestors and why I chose to work with this material for the Crafting Design Futures exhibition,” he told Arab News. “Wooden beams were traditionally used to construct roofs, often dictating room dimensions. These beams were never cut to size, becoming a distinct design element in heritage buildings, visible in the protruding ends that symbolize traditional construction practices.”
Amine El-Gotaibi Studio. (Courtesy of Design Doha 2024)
The piece Al-Muftah created for the exhibition is his own interpretation of woodworking. He was particularly inspired by Moroccan artist Hamza Kadiri’s woodwork, highlighting his artistry native to his North African homeland, which also reflected the important element of cultural exchange through the residency and exhibition.
“In Kadiri’s hands, hardwoods become as malleable as clay, with household furniture items emerging as if they were poured into shape,” he said. “My piece for the Crafting Design Futures exhibition is my interpretation of woodworking, drawing on Kadiri’s innovative techniques to create something uniquely my own.”
The goal is the exhibition goes beyond the beauty and innovation of the works on show to reflect the mission of Qatar’s Years of Culture to transcend borders and culture through creativity.
“Crafting Design Futures demonstrates the transformative impact of finding inspiration through shared experiences that draw on the wisdom of our ancestors, our lifestyles, and our deep-rooted connections with our societies, landscapes and environment — all of which collectively shape our unique perspectives, creative endeavors and shared narratives,” Al-Obaidly said. “Designing opportunities for creatives to engage in programs that have the capacity for such deep experiences is crucial to nurturing talents within the MENA region.”
XP Music Futures launches docuseries exploring Saudi music scene
Updated 25 August 2024
Arab News
DUBAI: A new docuseries from Saudi Arabia’s XP Music Futures, titled “ASHOO,” delves deep into the Kingdom’s burgeoning music scene.
Directed by Chndy and Abu Hamdan and created in collaboration with Badiya Studio, the series “unveils the sounds and untold stories of the Kingdom’s streets, offering viewers an authentic and unfiltered look at the cultural landscape of Saudi music,” according to a press statement.
The six-episode series — which launched its first episode on Aug. 10 — features intimate interviews with key music figures who have played a significant role in shaping the country’s musical identity.
As Saudi National Day approaches, the docuseries aims to serve as a celebration of the nation’s rich cultural heritage.
Chndy and Hamdan said in a statement: “In this project, we believe these stories are important and often overlooked. Our aim was to capture them as authentically and honestly as possible by allowing the people to tell their own stories in their own words. Through this approach, we have been able to showcase the raw emotions, passion, history, and love that these individuals have for their craft and interests.
“It was essential to us to preserve the integrity of their narratives, providing a window into their worlds that is both genuine and powerful,” they added.
Two episodes have been released so far. The first, titled “Jalsat Tarab,” is an introduction to the world of traditional drums and harmonic melodies, where a group of musicians showcase their craft, honed over years of improvisation and passion.
The second episode, titled “Khabiti” and released last week, offers a journey into Saudi folk music and culture, higlighting how artistic heritage remains a vital part of the national identity.
New episodes will drop weekly, with the final episode expected on Saudi National Day on Sept. 23.
