Roche helps Egypt expand digital pathology and AI diagnostics    Egypt's residential property prices soar up to 30% in H1 2025    Cairo Capital Developments delivers first phase of Lake West 1    Al-Sisi meets US CENTCOM chief to discuss military ties, Gaza ceasefire    SCO partnership supports Egypt's modernization, regional stability: Chinese ambassador    New massacre of aid seekers in Gaza amid escalation, worsening starvation crisis    Golden View launches TO-GTHER mixed-use project in New Cairo    Two militants killed in foiled plot to revive 'Hasm' operations: Interior ministry    Egypt foils terrorist plot, kills two militants linked to Hasm group    Egypt exports 175K tons of food in one week    NTRA approves payout to affected internet users    Egyptian pound shows stability in Sunday trading    Egypt, Somalia discuss closer environmental cooperation    Egypt's Health Minister reviews upgrades at Gustave Roussy Hospital    Giza Pyramids' interior lighting updated with new LED system    Sandoz Egypt introduces OMNITROPE 15mg biosimilar growth hormone for the treatment of short stature    Egypt's EHA, Huawei discuss enhanced digital health    Egypt's EDA explores pharma cooperation with Belarus    Egypt expresses condolences to Iraq over fire tragedy    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Korea Culture Week in Egypt to blend K-Pop with traditional arts    Egypt, France FMs review Gaza ceasefire efforts, reconstruction    CIB finances Giza Pyramids Sound and Light Show redevelopment with EGP 963m loan    Egypt, Uruguay eager to expand trade across key sectors    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    Egypt's Democratic Generation Party Evaluates 84 Candidates Ahead of Parliamentary Vote    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



The essence of spontaneity
Published in Daily News Egypt on 17 - 07 - 2012

This reporter enjoys seeing shows that fall outside his comfort zone. Rap music falls into that category emphatically, so when I was told a phenomenal rap group named Soot El Share'e (or Sound of the Street) I couldn't resist. Trying new things is the spice of life and an Egyptian rap group was something I had never seen before.
At first glance, no venue seems immediately apparent to me as I walk down the steps ever deeper into the bowels of the Sawy Culture Wheel. The Nile looks perfect, boats line the shore awaiting customers and while that's all very good…where am I supposed to go?
A rhythmic tom-tom fill answers my query before a crash cymbal signals that the rest of the band is starting up. The guitars join the smooth sound, integrating seamlessly to form a laid-back backing track. As I push back the flap of the tent that marks the concert's venue, the River Hall, the vocalists start up, all five of them.That's right.
The entire band joins in to form a unique harmonious sound; and although there are a couple of lead singers, they rotate every minute or so to ensure one can never really get fully settled in a groove. Listeners can never know what to expect.
The band debuts some new material, or so avid fans tell me. The song I walk in on the middle of is called Balady (My Country), a slow and mournful ballad, an embodiment of the deep-rooted sadness and melancholy that afflicted every Egyptian who watched their country degenerate into chaos during a dark period.
Astute readers may have guessed, by now, I was not watching Soot El Share'e perform. This was nowhere near rap, nor was I sure I had the right venue in the first place. However, instead of rushing to find the correct stage (as I surely would have done if I was seeing it for work), I decided to just go with it. The music was entrancing, the atmosphere laid-back and feel-good and I felt I could not possibly have had a better time elsewhere.
The fans there were die-hard. While there may only have been around 80 people in the entire hall, every one of them sang along to some of the songs, while swaying rhythmically to others. Every so often, at a particularly emotional couplet or display of technical prowess, there would be a burst of cheers directed at particular band members, often calling them out by name.
The surprises were far from over. Midway through the set, a particularly soulful vocalist produced a violin from thin air and proceeded to complement the ‘til-then normal band's collective voice. The effect was magical, lending an Oriental, almost transcendent feel to the regular drummer, guitarists and vocalists.
To conclude, this reporter is glad he stumbled into the wrong hall. This reporter is glad that he was watching a band perform with a completely open mind, without having read reviews, listened to music online or even looked up the band's name. The experience of pure spontaneity is a divine one that is only achieved every so often.
Perhaps every so often we should venture down to venues like Sawy or the Cairo Opera House and ask for a ticket.
“To what, sir?" the vendor will probably ask.
“Anything" would be the ideal answer.


Clic here to read the story from its source.