Music | AW

Riot Gear Summer Rush

Young people dance and cheer as they attend electronic music concert with western tunes at closed Hall in Shaab Stadium for the first time in Baghdad, Iraq August 16, 2019. (Reuters)

'People who love life and music' - dance parties return to Baghdad

Lebanon

A demonstrator holds a placard during a gathering in support of Lebanese indie band Mashrou’ Leila in Beirut, July 29. (AFP)

Lebanon’s Christians are missing the point

Khairallah Khairallah

Lebanon

Musicians Haig Papazian (L), Carl Gerges (C) and Hamed Sinno of Mashrou’ Leila pose for a picture in New York. (AFP)

Homophobia, sectarianism and church pressure stifle Mashrou’ Leila appearance

Iran

The Karun River is seen in Awaz, the capital of Iran's southwestern province of Khuzestan, following floods in the country, April 11. (AFP)

The artistic resistance of Ahwazi Arabs in Iran

Mashrou' Leila

In this file photo taken on November 1, 2017 (L-R) Musicians Haig Papazian, Carl Gerges and Hamed Sinno of Mashrou' Leila pose for a picture in New York. (AFP)

Lebanon music festival cancels show after Christian pressure

Black Theama

Hani El Dakkak (L), lead singer and guitarist, and Mahmoud Siam, guitarist for Egyptian rock band Massar Egbari, warm up in a recording studio in Cairo. (AFP)

Alternative music bands struggle for place in Egypt’s music scene

Wael Tawfik-78320

Morocco

A living heritage. Nouba Al Andaloussia orchestra performs on stage during the Andalusian International Music Festival in Casablanca. (Saad Guerraoui)

Andalusian music brings Maghrebis together

Iraq

A young performer in a black robe chants as Iraqi Shia youth take part in a mourning ceremony at their local mosque in the town of Midhatiya, south of Baghdad. (AFP)

Iraq’s ‘latmiyat’ rap has youth appeal but conservatives not amused

Arabofolies

Kurdish singer and musician Aynur Dogan performs during the Arabofolies festival. (The Arab World Institute in Paris)

Arabofolies festival celebrates Arab art in Paris