Music
While Bananarama might not feature top of his iPod favourites, James Fryer’s experience as a music writer has spanned the leg warmers and Spandex of the 80s, the tight-leather trousers of goth rock, to the electric beats and glow-sticks of Dubai’s dance-driven nightclubs.
James Fryer dusts off his leathers in anticipation of the Dubai Desert Rock Festival. Which images spring into mind when you hear the words music and festival?... Full article.
As Dubai-based rockers Mannikind get ready to blast their guitar-driven nu-metal at this year’s Dubai Desert Rock crowd, What’s On finds out what’s lurking in their record collection... Full article.
Paris Hilton, Paris / The Kooks, Inside In Inside Out. The ’it’ girl’s mass-marketing extravaganza received a publicity boost in the UK when graffiti artist Banksy doctored... Full article.
Lily Allen, Alright Still / Stacie Orrico, Beautiful Awakening. The daughter of infamous ‘actor’ Keith Allen claims her dad’s celebrity status didn’t give her... Full article.
Gnarls Barkley, St Elsewhere / Skye, Mind How You Go. A dynamic and sometimes crazy collaboration between producer Danger Mouse and singer Cee-Lo... Full article.
The Streets, The Hardest Way To Make an Easy Living / Beverley Knight, Voice: The Very Best Of. Mike Skinner joked that this, his third album, wouldn’t live... Full article.
Trina, Glamorest Life / Pet Shop Boys, Fundamental. Adding a new twist to the explicit styles employed by acclaimed female rappers such as Lil’ Kim and Foxy Brown... Full article.
Arctic Monkeys, Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not / Bananarama, Drama. Two members of the UK-based quartet were... Full article.
Richard Ashcroft, Keys To The World / Yellowcard, Lights and Sounds. The former Verve frontman’s third album reminds listeners this is an artist who set the tone for... Full article.
Corinne Baily Rae, Corinne Baily Rae / Liberty X, X. Billie Holliday blues meets Norah Jones’ soulful jazz with just a dash of Nelly Furtado funk in the... Full article.
Alanis Morissette, The Collection / Babyshambles, Down in Albion. Alanis went shockingly (and ill-advisably) blonde around the same time she released this greatest hits album, 10 years after... Full article.
James Fryer gets ready to throw some shapes as world ranking DJ Eddie Halliwell drops a needle in the groove. Eddie Halliwell will be all hands on deck... Full article.
London, New York and Ibiza had better watch out, says James Fryer, Dubai’s clubbing scene is muscling in on the international DJ action. Dubai’s clubbing scene is going... Full article.
James Fryer pulls back the red curtain on two theatrical gems set to hit the boards this month at Jumeirah’s Madinat Theatre. Over the Rainbow, the life... Full article.
Zakir Hussain is heading our way. James Fryer bangs the drum. India’s tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain will lead a plethora of percussionists in a live performance... Full article.
The axemen cometh
Desert disks
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Hot hot beat
Size matters
Songbird sung blues
Top tabla