Thanks to the recent birth of two new underground clubs, the UAE’s alternative scene is booming with a wave of fresh new promoters. Rob Garratt rounds up a few nights to watch out for to satisfy your alternative needs.
The Acoustic Sessions
If you are craving some decent live music then head to the Crowne Plaza every Tuesday, where Heroes and The International Playboys present a chilled out evening of re-worked and fresh acoustic music for your
enjoyment. From 8.30pm onwards, there will be acoustic numbers old and new, plenty of indie rock and a whole heap of surprises thrown in. It’s something a little different from what is commonly offered in the city and it’s a chance to hear some fresh and interesting sounds while you enjoy a brew. Mix it with some good old fashioned pub food and you’ve got a good night out.
Heroes, Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi, Hamdan Street (02 616 6132).
Blend it
In recent years this venue has picked up some new DJs inlcuding one of Abu Dhabi’s favourite residents Neil T, who will be mashing up the finest in old-school R&B, hip hop, house tunes, club favourites and more, blending them in his signature style, all the way through to the early hours on a Wednesday night. If you haven’t been to Eight for a while it might be high time for another visit.
Free drinks for ladies all night, guys will receive two free drinks. Every Wednesday 10pm-3am. Eight, Souk Qaryat Al Beri, Bain Al Jessrain (050 144 6662).
AudiOasis
After an impressive run that saw bassheads AudiOasis launch a number of subsidiary brands such as SubMinimal and Bassic at their home in Catwalk, Dubai it was a little saddening to see them drop off the radar in the second half of last year. Well, in case you haven’t heard, they’re back. And in style too, relaunching at new club The Q Underground this month. There’s a season closer planned for Friday July 5 before things kick off again in earnest after summer.
www.facebook.com/audiOasisDXB
Deep Crates Cartel
Is anyone doing more for the alternative scene right now than the Deep Crates Cartel? As well as hosting the most reliable weekly night in the UAE (that spins funk, soul, old-school hip hop and world grooves every Thursday at Dubai’s Casa Latina), they’re also behind the Sunny Vibe-up pool parties on Dusk Terrace at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Media City – now sadly closed for summer. Then there’s the monthly reggae fest Drop Dread, and they’re also launching new chilled electronic night, Inhale. Great work guys, keep it up.
Deep Crates: free entry. Thursdays 10pm-3am. Casa Latina, Ibis Al Barsha. Friday May 31, 7pm-3am. Tamanya Terrace, Radission Blu Hotel, Dubai Media City, www.facebook.com/DeepCratesCartel
Urban Education
Decadent Entertainment’s Urban Education night serves up the best urban, hip hop and funk to a slick crowd. After five successful years of actively educating and developing an urban scene in Dubai, Decadent Entertainment has proved that they are just as popular in Abu Dhabi at this cool venue. Resident DJ Rone Jaxx spins a unique blend of old, new and commercial R&B, hip hop and dancehall creating a real party vibe.
Every Friday night, 8pm-2.30am. Pearls Bar, Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri (050 561 1968).
JamFest Wednesdays
Since its soft launch in February, XS Club in Dubai’s most notable night has been Afro-centric, externally promoted JamFest. While attendance can be patchy, it’s worth checking for the tunes: expect to hear raw and authentic dancehall, reggae, dub, Afrobeat and more.
Free entry. Every Wednesday, 10pm-3am. XS Club & Lounge, Chelsea Plaza Hotel, Satwa, Dubai (050 293 1507).
Step On
‘The UAE’s longest-running indie night’, Step On has enjoyed something of a profile surge in recent months. We’d venture there are two reasons: they’ve decamped from moody Catwalk to the plush climes of The Dek on 8; and their DJs have warmed up for Noel Gallagher and Happy Mondays in recent weeks. They’re certainly stepping it up a gear.
www.facebook.com/StepOnDubai
Something Big
On the bass scene Something Big are making some pretty significant waves in Dubai by hosting an international bill every month, often pairing both a drum’n’ bass and dubstep name on the same night so that bassheads of all creeds are happy. Right now they’re gearing up for a mammoth season closer starring dubstep don Distance and drum’n’ bass name Kasra.
Dhs100. Thursday May 30, 10pm-3am. Catwalk, Golden Tulip Al Barsha, www.facebook.com/SomethingBigDubai
