Darb 1718 is set to host the second edition of the Arab Rock Festival with six different Egyptian rock bands performing on 26 May. The festival aims to support alternative music genres, such as Arabic hard rock and metal music, as well as introduce more people to these music scenes in Egypt and the Arab world. The lineup includes the bands Malaaz, Khayal, Code Masr, Sada That, Telepoetic and ZigZag. Malaaz is an alternative rock band formed in 2014 with members Mohamed Abdelrazik (guitarist/composer/lyricist), Amr Beshr (lead guitarist), Maged Amer (vocalist), Moataz El Nashar (bassist) and Ahmed El-Gohary (drummer). Malaaz last performed at El Sawy Culture Wheel on 4 May. Rock band Khayal's lineup includes Ezz Tarek (guitarist/vocalist), Hania Mahmoud (vocalist), guitarists Mohab el Sherbiny and Ahmed Tarek, Ramy Hamdy (bassist) as well as Ziad Nabil (drummer). Khayal's most recent performance took place as part of the Pick a Street (Ekhtarlak Share') event which took place at Cairo Festival City Mall on 13 May and was organised by event company R Productions. Arabic contemporary rock fusion band Code Masr formed in 2011 amidst the flourishing underground music scene of the time. Code Masr includes members Ahmed Saif (lead vocalist/rhythm guitarist), Mohamed Baz (lead guitarist/backing vocalist), Hassan Mekki (keyboardist/backing vocalist), Mohamed Yasser (bassist), Selim Hamdy (drummer) and Islam Essam (lyricist). The band's last performance took place at El Genaina Theatre on 4 May. New wave indie/alternative rock band Sada That performs with a lineup composed of Hany Mustafa (lead vocalist/guitarist), Moe Hani Shawki (backing vocalist/bassist), Mustafa Farid (guitarist) and Karim Safwat (drummer). Like Khayal, Sada That's last performance was also at the Pick a Street (Ekhtarlak Share') event. Experimental post rock band Telepoetic, formed in 2006, includes a trio of members: Samo El Taweel (drummer), Mohamed Desouky (bassist) and Ahmed Saleh (electronist/keyboardist/electric guitarist). The band incorporates audiovisual experiences in their concerts using light and visual installations. Telepoetic last performed at the Cairo Jazz Club on 25 April. The band holds an impressive portfolio of live performances, at events such as 100 LIVE Electronic Music Festival and D-CAF Festival. Formed in 2013, progressive rock band ZigZag includes members Diaa M-El Hosary (bassist/vocalist), Adham Deraz (drummer/backing vocalist), Mahmoud Wail (keyboardist/backing vocalist) and Bishoy George (guitarist). Programme: Friday 26 May at 5pm to 11pm Darb 1718, Kasr El-Shamaa St., Misr El Kadima, Old Cairo For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture
