As annual conference XP Music Futures arranged its XChange Cairo workshop in Egypt in late May, they realized they were about to deal with a culturally different kind of music industry personnel in their sessions.
Saudi Arabia-centered XP Music Futures’ head of programming Yasmine Rasool says, “We were excited about Cairo because they’re known to be so brash with their comments and they go all out and be like, ‘This is my opinion!’ We were told the workshops are going to get a bit heated up, because everyone has such strong opinions.”
We’re seated outside the main room where XChange Cairo’s workshops are taking place, in an upscale sort of co-working and gallery space in Egypt’s capital. From the importance of safe spaces to the shortage of managers and labels and even eco-friendlier events, the room is full of opinions from the new and established voices of Egypt – a country that often evokes ideas of civilization, revolution and more. “It’s like a focus group,” Rasool says.
Launched last year, XChange has since also set up in Amman and Abu Dhabi, leading up to the main XP Music Futures conference in Riyadh in December. What feels like a gathering of voices and talent from Egypt also seems to be an extended hand from Saudi Arabia’s growing music and entertainment industry, one that has the blessings of the government. Call it a flex of soft power or just necessary PR, XP Music Futures is trying to build bridges in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and they received a warm, even if slightly discerning welcome in Cairo.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 2023-Ausgabe von RollingStone India.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 2023-Ausgabe von RollingStone India.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Diljit Dosanjh on 'Amar Singh Chamkila' and International Collabs
All eyes are on Netflix’s latest biopic on the life of a legendary Punjabi voice, which is essayed by the singer-actor
FAISAL KAPADIA ON TURNING TO SYNTH-POP AND HIS FAVORITE INDIAN INDIE ACTS
ONE HALF OF LEGENDARY PAKISTANI POP-ROCK DUO STRINGS, KAPADIA TALKS ABOUT EVERYTHING FROM ‘COKE STUDIO’ TO HIS SOLO ALBUM ‘ZINDAGI JAHAAN LE JAAYE’ AND A POTENTIAL COLLABORATION WITH ANKUR TEWARI, KARSH KALE AND ARNOB
The Amy Winehouse Business Is Booming
Thirteen years after the retro-soul singer’s death, tribute bands, album reissues, and a new biopic are keeping her rebel spirit alive
'No Filter Neha': B-Town Celebs at Their Unfiltered Best
No Filter Neha' is spilling the beans while also providing insightful analyses of celebrity narratives that are worth learning about, capturing the essence of human experiences and emotions
Tiger Baby Records Unveils 'Dance With Me,' a Funky Collaboration with SoBo House of Music
The EP includes vocals by students from SoBo House of Music
Kathleen Hanna
The punk icon on her memoir, Lyme disease, and Kurt Cobain
BECOMING A.C.E
TAKING IT FROM BUSKING TO COVERING POPULAR DANCE CHOREOGRAPHIES TO THEIR BEGINNINGS TO BECOMING K-POP ARTISTS, AND THEN COMING BACK AFTER A HIATUS, A.C.E’S STORY IS AN INUNDATION OF FOND MEMORIES
Omar Apollo
The Mexican American star on befriending SZA, jamming out to Beyoncé, and making music for arenas
'Khosla Ka Ghosla' Composer Dhruv Dhalla Has New Music and a New Perspective
The keyboardist and composer’s next song will appear in Bollywood film ‘Mr. & Mrs. Mahi,’ with singer Kavita Seth and lyricist Devendra Kafir
The Highs and Lows of Girl in Red
The super-relatable pop singer from Norway is ready for her close-up after touring with Taylor