Opening avenues for organic talent

A new weekly event hopes to find and nurture the UAE's own Susan Boyle.

Open Mic Dubai will see five solo acoustic singers take to the stage at the Dubai Marine Beach Resort and Spa's Malecon outlet tonight to show they can hold their own with today's chart-toppers.

"There's no place in Dubai where individuals can check out live local acts playing original music," says Anthony Davani, General Manager of promotional marketing company Unidus Western Solutions. "This new concept is a chance for talented individuals to showcase talents and get exposure through talent management companies."

The event kicked off last week with a rock-themed Battle of the Bands and winners Nikotin walked away with vouchers from Puma, a drum set from SMK Electronics and, perhaps most important of all, free studio time to record three tracks, courtesy of SAE Institute. Future editions include hip-hop nights, as well as possibly comedy and beatboxing events, Davani tells Emirates Business.

Organic music has traditionally got a bad rap here in the UAE, with event organisers opting to cater to the lowest common denominator by bringing in established international acts rather than promoting local talent. That formula has thus far worked in a city that is home to people from 120 countries – but as more and more expatriates choose to settle here, the country has seen the emergence of a strong underground music scene.

"In the two years I've been on the radio, with around two new guests every Saturday, I've probably met around 280 acts," says radio presenter Zahra Soar, who hosts a two-hour Open Mic show on Dubai Eye 103.8FM at 8pm every Saturday. "Thanks to the internet and cheaper recording techniques, musicians are no longer constrained to big labels and many have started their own labels in Dubai.?And promoters now realise many local musicians are just as good as international artists and have their own followings here."

Organisers are reaching out to this market, prompted at least partly by the need to keep costs low in a downturn. As attendance at club nights declines around the country, it's cheaper to mount an evening's entertainment with local acts than fly in an expensive DJ – and lower costs mean sponsors are more willing to pick up the tab.

"That wasn't our motive at all – we're easily capable of organising events with big international stars," says Davani. "Yes, it's not easy getting sponsors at the moment, but if you can sell the idea properly and it is backed by a strong marketing campaign, sponsors will buy into it."

But one open mic night has already fallen victim to the recession. Steve Vaile, Founder and CEO of Dubai Lime, the first company to launch Open Mic nights and which has helped create over 100 paying gigs for local artists, says he's put his popular events on hold for lack of funds. "Quite simply there are no sponsors; we have asked lot of companies, including music and entertainment companies, and none of them are willing to contribute citing the current economic climate. Our events are free for musicians and audience, but we have running costs like equipment rental." Even a fund raising jam session did not help, he says.

Davani, whose event has a Dh50 door charge for men, insist the downturn is a blessing in disguise for companies like his: "This is the best time to expand. Venues are suffering and need innovative ideas to attract people – and we are in a position to deliver these new concepts."

Soar says there are several reasons it is so hard to get a proper live music scene going in Dubai. "Money is a factor, but the main issue is licence costs. There are no spontaneous open mic events in the city because all performers must have a licence to be on stage. And most clubs do not allow people under 21 in, thus shutting out a huge part of the creative population."

But despite the odds, the UAE has thrown up several original acts, including bands Abri and Nervecell, which have toured Europe, as well as Paul Nolan, who won a record deal after being discovered at a Dubai Lime Open Mic session.

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