Traditional music
In the United Arab Emirates - and particularly in cosmopolitan Dubai - traditional musical practices include many influences from neighbors, the region, or the various waves of immigration that have passed through the country. One example is bandari, a haunting music originating in southern Iran, derived from the Persian word bandar, which means "port" and is played with a type of goat skin bagpipe, the habban. Also popular throughout the Gulf and in the United Arab Emirates, liwa (or "leiwah", "leywah") music has some traces of its East African origins in its basic rhythm. Once a therapeutic possession rite, it has become over time a secular practice of a festive nature. Sung and danced in a circle of men, liwa invites key instruments from the Gulf and the country.
The Al-Ayyala and Al-Rafza dances are listed as intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
In general, most of the traditional instruments found in Dubai and the country are more or less the same - but often named differently - as those used in the rest of the Gulf. This is the case of the oud, one of the main Arab instruments, which is quite similar to a mandolin, or the habban, the goatskin bagpipes mentioned above. Among the percussion instruments, one of the most common is the manior, a cotton belt with goat hooves that rattles with the dancer's movements, or the taba, a drum that comes in a variety of sizes and shapes.
As traditional music is very popular in the country, the genre has a few stars such as Mehad Hamad, popular for his songs about the desert and his patriotic songs, or Hussain Al Jassmi, one of the most famous Emirati singers in the world who has greatly contributed to spreading his country's musical culture throughout the Middle East (and even the Arab world).
On the pop side, Ahlam is beloved by Emiratis, especially since she has been a judge on shows like Arab Idol. All of them play - or have played - khaliji, a contemporary music that is very popular in the Persian Gulf and even the Arab world. This cross between traditional and pop music is rich in oud and violin and blends many elements of African, Indian, Iranian and local music (including liwa). Still popular, the khaliji is modernized by the younger generations, such as Shamma Hamdan - a singer famous for being the first Emirati woman to be a finalist in a season ofArabs' Got Talent - who proposes a rather R&B version or Fayez Al Saeed, whose biggest fan is none other than Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, the crown prince of Dubai (Al Saeed is his official composer).
Classical music
While classical music (in its western sense) once served as a luxurious soundtrack, things have changed dramatically in the country since the establishment of the Classical Music Festival in Abu Dhabi in 2004. Classical music is now taken very seriously in the country, something that can be seen in Dubai with the majesty of its Opera House. TheDubai Opera House is the city's iconic stage and a lyrical theater in its own right. Installed at the foot of the Burj Khalifa, the building is distinguished by its architecture (designed by Janus Rostock) inspired by the dhow, the country's iconic wooden boat. Since its inauguration at the end of August 2016 (with Placido Domingo for the kick-off) the Dubai Opera has been cultivating prestigious posters (the legendary tenor José Carreras was the star of the first season), as the city seeks to install its stage among the most important in the world. This excellent reputation is also due to its average size (2,000 seats) and its exceptional acoustics. The Opera does not only welcome classical music but also international stars.
Jazz
While there are no major Emirati jazz ensembles to speak of, the country inspires (and often invites) some of the great talents of the genre. This is notably the case of Lebanese pianist Tarek Yamani, whose third album Peninsular marries Khaliji music and jazz and invites local musicians such as percussionist Wahid Mubarak or Adil Abdallah, a Yemeni singer living in Dubai. In the same spirit, the Jordanian oud player and guitarist Kamal Musallam, based in Dubai, works a lot on the fusion between jazz and Arab influences. A success since his albums are regularly very well ranked in the Emirati sales and have led him to collaborate with famous musicians like Sting. Sting has already been featured at the Dubai Jazz Festival, a major annual event where for three days the cream of jazz (and even blues or rock) is jostling for attention in a breathtaking program. One of Dubai's must-sees.
Current music
As an increasingly dynamic cultural capital, Dubai is unsurprisingly home to a vibrant pop, rock, hip-hop and electronic scenes fueled by immigration from countries in the region. Among the best-known local artists, Lebanese-Canadian Karl Wolf (a long-time resident of Dubai) is one of the country's hottest pop stars with his R&B that breaks sales records with each release. Also very popular is soul singer Hamdan Al-Abri, one of the city's most popular acts, as well as rock band Juliana Down, the first Emirati signing to a major label (Sony). The house duo Hollaphonic was the first Middle Eastern electro group to be signed to an international label (Universal this time). On the hip-hop side, the big local name is the Lebanese-Syrian MC Wissam Khodur, better known as Eslam Jawaad, who has collaborated with Damon Albarn on numerous Gorillaz albums. More intimate, the band As Per Casper, led by Syrian-Palestinian singer and songwriter Carla Saad, is one of Dubai's hottest pop acts.
The must-see in town to see the best of the local scene is undoubtedly The Fridge. Located in the trendy Alserkal Avenue, The Fridge promotes local talent by all means (including a booking agency). Otherwise, nestled in the Majestic Hotel, The Music Room is one of the best live music scenes in town. Another particularly popular address, The Musichall, is at the junction between the showroom and the nightclub. A unique place in Dubai, imagined by two Lebanese brothers and quickly becoming an institution in the city. Finally, with a capacity of 17,000 spectators, the Coca Cola Arena has become the most important concert hall in Dubai.
