PJ O’Reilly’s house band Sweet Chilli Jam are hot in Abu Dhabi, largely due to its dynamic set-lists We had a chat with their drummer, Martin.
How do you find the music scene in Abu Dhabi varies to other parts of the world?
Overall we think people are much more relaxed and keen to party than anywhere else we’ve played before. A happy crowd is a good crowd, and we are here for exactly that crowd.
What song do you use to pump up your audience?
It depends. During the week and over the weekend it’s different. Thursdays and Fridays usually ask for more of a party set, that could mean anything from Maroon 5 to The Gypsy Kings. During the week it could be a number of things, for example The Killers, The Cranberries and even a few songs from Michael Jackson. That’s why we don’t just stick to one specific genre. Whatever the people want, we’ll try it (with our own little influence of course). But I have to say, Mumford and Sons never seems to fail over here.
Do you have any plans to take the band further?
We’re always striving to improve, pushing ourselves as far as we can.
What is the biggest challenge for musicians in Abu Dhabi?
I’d say being away from family for such extended periods and trying to keep things fresh and up to date with what is popular at the moment, ensuring people come back for more. Apart from all of that, we’ve become friends with some of the other bands around here, making it feel like your family away from home.
PJ O’Reilly’s, Le Royal Méridien, Al Markaziyah (02 674 2020).
