Magzoid Magazine - Luxury Magazine in the Creative Space | February 2024 |

Music with Passion & Purpose
In the evening, crowds were brought to
their feet by Sudanese fusion artists MarSimba’s
blend of Sudanese lingo and African
beats, and the remixed South Asian DJ sets
of UAE-based Stick No Bills, who was accompanied
by musicians playing traditional
South Asian instruments such as the sitar,
tabla, and harmonium. Festival-goers were
in awe of millennial artist Usha Jey’s hybrid
performance of hip-hop and Bharatanatyam
ft. Mithu and Janu, while enthused by the return
of Big Hass, a Dubai-based hip-hop DJ
as emcee and show-runner.
The second day of Quoz Arts Fest saw a
huge turnout for the highly anticipated live
music performances by The Synaptik and
Friends, helmed by the Palestinian-Jordanian
rapper at the forefront of a popular wave
of Arabic rap and trap, effortlessly merging
singing and rapping to explore issues such
as migration and social inequality. His participation
was invigorated with performances
by Maysa Daw, who captured the crowd with
songs exploring her personal experiences,
as well as DJ Sotusura, Egyptian rapper
Feluka, and pioneer of the ‘Amman sound’,
Shbash.
Quoz Encore, which has already become
a mainstay of the festival, returned for its
sophomore cycle, bringing in more than
80 entries by homegrown bands looking
for their big break. Twenty-four were shortlisted
and auditioned, and twelve bands /
musicians were finally selected to perform
at Quoz Arts Fest this year. Quoz Encore
has fast become a showcase of the most
promising homegrown emerging musicians
of all ages, genres, and languages, and a
platform from which to grow.
Inclusive & Inspired
The 11th edition of Quoz Arts Fest 2024
stood out for its inclusivity during the entire
weekend, with performers, participants, and
visitors of all ages, backgrounds, and cultural
interests, coming together and fully immersing
themselves in the myriad activities.
Children and their families enjoyed a
dedicated lane of arts and activities, while
foodies of all ages and tastes sated their appetites
thanks to the variety of international
culinary food offerings from pop-ups, food
trucks, and permanent restaurants and cafes
at Alserkal Avenue.
To that end, the festival was a profound
experience that resonated in unique and nuanced
ways with all visitors.
www.magzoid.com February 2024
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