Jordan's landscape has inspired international filmmakers and local musicians in various ways. When it comes to the former, the kingdom's picturesque mountains and deserts served as ideal settings for many films, from 1962's Lawrence of Arabia to this year's Aladdin.
When it comes to its vibrant independent music scene, however, what the country lacks has served as an equally strong source of inspiration.
This has allowed Mahmoud Radaideh, frontman and songwriter of Jadal, to pick up the guitar as a teenager in the first place.
"We in Jordan don't have much to do. We don't have the sea, lakes or whatever, so as a kid, you go from school to home or to the villages if you have friends there. So if you are a musician and smart enough, you can spend most of your time doing music," he says. "My brother always told me to focus on playing the guitar, which I did as something to do."
Radaideh wasn't the only one. Formed in 2003, Jadal was one of the first fully fledged rock groups to come out of Jordan, and was followed by the likes of Autostrad and El Morabba3. What distinguished this new movement, Radaideh says, was its appreciation of the region's heritage.
"At the time everyone was trying to make English bands and they would also have English names," he says. "I formed the group with the idea that it should be an Arabic rock band, with the music relating to the culture and community we live in. This means the lyrics needed to be Arabic and in a Jordanian accent."
That sense of mission and camaraderie continues to sustain the country's rock community. Radaideh says the sense of familiarity between band members in the kingdom is tighter than contemporaries in Egypt and Lebanon, in that many of the musicians are school friends.
These friends would play music together and start their own bands, he says.
While each band challenged each other to get better, Radaideh says the Jordanian public were also adjusting to the new sounds coming out of the country. It was one that fused Arabic culture and melodies with western rock genres ranging from grunge and metal.
When it comes to Jadal, that style is prevalent in their last album, 2017's Malyoun. The album is a grungy love letter to Radaideh's youth with tracks displaying his love for Vitalogy-era Pearl Jam.
“That was intended because I really wanted to bring that style to an Arab crowd,” he says. “I basically wanted to show the fans what I have been listening to at their age and doing it in Arabic in the most professional way.”
But that could soon change. Radaideh confirms a new Jadal album is in the works and it will be marked by more experimentation. "It is a different kind of songwriting, which is really refreshing for us," the musician says. "The crowd would not be expecting what we are doing. But then again, I don't really follow trends, we just do things in our fun way."
Some of these songs will be presented live in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, December 12 at the Cultural Foundation. For one thing, unlike the band's previous show in the capital, as part of the Mother of The Nation Festival, this gig's audience will be made up of devoted fans.
“That was more of a family festival, and this time it is an exclusive Jadal concert,” he says. “With this show, we expect Jadal fans and we will play some of the new songs. We can’t wait to get down there and play.”
Jadal will perform as part of Al Hosn Festival at the Cultural Foundation, Abu Dhabi, tonight between 7.30pm and 10pm; ticket prices are from Dh78.50. More information is available on www.culturalfoundation.ae
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The years Ramadan fell in May
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company: Instabug
Founded: 2013
Based: Egypt, Cairo
Sector: IT
Employees: 100
Stage: Series A
Investors: Flat6Labs, Accel, Y Combinator and angel investors
Continental champions
Best Asian Player: Massaki Todokoro (Japan)
Best European Player: Adam Wardzinski (Poland)
Best North & Central American Player: DJ Jackson (United States)
Best African Player: Walter Dos Santos (Angola)
Best Oceanian Player: Lee Ting (Australia)
Best South American Player: Gabriel De Sousa (Brazil)
Best Asian Federation: Saudi Jiu-Jitsu Federation
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
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Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
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Alita: Battle Angel
Director: Robert Rodriguez
Stars: Rosa Salazar, Christoph Waltz, Keean Johnson
Four stars
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The years Ramadan fell in May
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Results:
First Test: New Zealand 30 British & Irish Lions 15
Second Test: New Zealand 21 British & Irish Lions 24
Third Test: New Zealand 15 British & Irish Lions 15
Specs
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Available: Now