Kabul. The Afghan capital city evokes many images and, for outsiders, most will involve war-torn streets and the Taliban. None will likely be soundtracked by the discordant strains of rock music, but it’s fast becoming the noise of underground Kabul, nevertheless.
Rehearsing surrounded by sandbags and reclaimed tyres from wrecked vehicles in a space that doubles as a bomb shelter, if required, White City are at the forefront of that movement. A going concern for eight years, ploughing through about 20 members and such eye-opening monikers as Taliband before solidifying into their current power trio line-up in 2009, the band take their name from a United Nations state of alert that restricts movement of its staff in Kabul.
“All the NGOs and all the institutions tend to follow suit and tell their staff that they can’t go out,” says the band’s British-born bassist/vocalist Ruth Owen. “So that’s why we called [ourselves] White City, sort of thumbing our nose to this slightly alarmist calling of lockdown.”
Completed by Andreas Stefansson (drums) and Travis Beard (guitar), White City are a truly international outfit – the only remaining founder member, Stefansson is Swedish and has claimed links with Kabul since time spent there as an aid worker in the late 1990s; Beard is an Australian who came to the city as a photojournalist (he is currently spending six months based in Beirut); when The Review speaks to Owen, who moved to Kabul to work as a journalist in 2009, she’s in New York. When the security situation in Kabul deteriorated last year, meanwhile, they all temporarily decamped to Sri Lanka.
Owen’s personal rock schooling is an interesting one: her dad tour-managed Roxy Music, King Crimson and Genesis in the United Kingdom, while, as a teenager, she toured as the bassist in a re-formed version of the 1990s Britpop band Echobelly. The band claim inspiration from punk, stoner rock and European psychedelic folk music, as well as the native sounds of Kabul. “It’s been an incredible melting pot,” says Owen. “We were all heavily influenced by Asian folk music and we’ve tried to integrate a fusion of that into our music.”
Concerts in Kabul are almost always semi-ad hoc, with promotion usually limited to word of mouth to avoid attracting the wrong kind of attention, in front of crowds of anything between 50 people up to, at the regular Sound Central festival that White City founded, thousands of rabid fans. Girls-only shows are not unheard of, because of cultural taboos. Tools of the trade are so scarce that White City fly to Dubai to purchase instruments and other equipment.
“You’ve never experienced anything like an Afghan rock concert,” Owen says. “The kids go completely crazy, because it’s something that is absolutely new and exciting to them. When we first started playing, people would point to the drum kit and say ‘Is that a tabla?’ and point to the guitar and say ‘Is that a rubab?’, because they’d never seen these instruments before. It’s very interesting to see a music scene coming up from an embryonic status; to see people learn how to headbang and how to mosh. The reaction has just been incredible.”
Shows also act as an outlet for anger festering in Afghan youths living in a pressure-cooker environment of curfews and conservatism.
“When we arrange these gigs for young Afghan kids, it’s a space where they can really let off a lot of suppressed energy. These kids have a much harder life than any teenagers in the West. So this heavy music does play into what is a stressful situation in Afghanistan right now.”
Conflict has, indeed, defined Kabul for decades, but White City are keen to point out that the media depiction of the city in 2014 isn’t quite as black and white as it may appear.
“Kabul, I always compare to Belfast in the 80s,” reasons Owen. “Bad things happen, bombs go off, but people live their lives. As a journalist, I’ve been embedded with troops and I’ve come under fire a number of times, but actually in the city centre, I myself haven’t actually experienced that much in terms of danger, although other bands have. It’s really a case of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. You almost become a bit desensitised to it. You hear a bomb go off, and it will reverberate around the city, but it’s not really worth anyone’s while to get upset about it – it’s better to continue what you’re doing.”
Danger continues to lurk around the corner in the Afghan capital, however, as brought into tragic focus by a Taliban attack on an upscale cafe in the city in January. A total of 21 people died in a dual-pronged suicide bomb/gun attack on the Taverna du Liban, including its owner, Kamal Hamade.
“I spent my last three birthday parties there,” laments Owen, who often dons a hijab in public in Kabul. “It’s a favourite hangout for Afghans and foreigners alike. The owner was a friend. But the attention that it got in the media was sort of disproportionate to other atrocities that happen around the country – Afghan civilians dying all the time, every day, and we don’t see that get attention.”
Attention to Kabul’s violent side, Owen thinks, also means that White City’s rock chops are in danger of coming second to tales of bombs and bullets. That’s something that they’re keen to change, and could well do, judging by the polished rock sounds of their debut album, Landlocked, which was recorded in Sri Lanka and London and released two weeks ago.
“No one really has an idea of what Afghan rock could be like. Sometimes we find the music coming second, so while we’re happy that Afghanistan gets us on the radar, we hope that people will be listening to the music as well.”
That word is set to spread farther this month: White City are currently on a seven-city US tour that culminates in a show at the multifarious SXSW festival in Austin, Texas, on March 13 (www.sxsw.com). The experience will no doubt contrast sharply with the band’s previous jaunt outside of Afghanistan in 2011, entitled the Big in the Stans Tour – a self-deprecating reference to the common suffix of the Central Asian nations that they navigated for six weeks.
“We took a train in Uzbekistan down to Bukhara,” remembers Owen. “The police tried to stop our gig and ended up being part of the audience. We did a gig in the middle of a platform to a bunch of gipsies selling bread.
“We travelled over the border from Kyrgyzstan to Kazakhstan and ended up getting paid for a street gig in dried fish. And the secret police turned up in Tashkent and arrested the support band.”
aworkman@thenational.ae
Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed
Power: 620bhp
Torque: 760Nm
Price: Dh898,000
On sale: now
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Visit Abu Dhabi culinary team's top Emirati restaurants in Abu Dhabi
Yadoo’s House Restaurant & Cafe
For the karak and Yoodo's house platter with includes eggs, balaleet, khamir and chebab bread.
Golden Dallah
For the cappuccino, luqaimat and aseeda.
Al Mrzab Restaurant
For the shrimp murabian and Kuwaiti options including Kuwaiti machboos with kebab and spicy sauce.
Al Derwaza
For the fish hubul, regag bread, biryani and special seafood soup.
Last 10 NBA champions
2017: Golden State bt Cleveland 4-1
2016: Cleveland bt Golden State 4-3
2015: Golden State bt Cleveland 4-2
2014: San Antonio bt Miami 4-1
2013: Miami bt San Antonio 4-3
2012: Miami bt Oklahoma City 4-1
2011: Dallas bt Miami 4-2
2010: Los Angeles Lakers bt Boston 4-3
2009: Los Angeles Lakers bt Orlando 4-1
2008: Boston bt Los Angeles Lakers 4-2
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Tuesday's fixtures
Kyrgyzstan v Qatar, 5.45pm
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
RESULTS
6.30pm Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
Winner Canvassed, Par Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)
7.05pm Meydan Cup – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (Turf) 2,810m
Winner Dubai Future, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
7.40pm UAE 2000 Guineas – Group 3 (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Mouheeb, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard
8.15pm Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Secret Ambition, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
9.50pm Meydan Classic – Conditions (TB) $$50,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner Topper Bill, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
9.25pm Dubai Sprint – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner Man Of Promise, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Anghami
Started: December 2011
Co-founders: Elie Habib, Eddy Maroun
Based: Beirut and Dubai
Sector: Entertainment
Size: 85 employees
Stage: Series C
Investors: MEVP, du, Mobily, MBC, Samena Capital
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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About Okadoc
Date started: Okadoc, 2018
Founder/CEO: Fodhil Benturquia
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Healthcare
Size: (employees/revenue) 40 staff; undisclosed revenues recording “double-digit” monthly growth
Funding stage: Series B fundraising round to conclude in February
Investors: Undisclosed
More coverage from the Future Forum
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
SPECS
Engine: Two-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 235hp
Torque: 350Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Price: From Dh167,500 ($45,000)
On sale: Now
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
The Bio
Favourite vegetable: “I really like the taste of the beetroot, the potatoes and the eggplant we are producing.”
Holiday destination: “I like Paris very much, it’s a city very close to my heart.”
Book: “Das Kapital, by Karl Marx. I am not a communist, but there are a lot of lessons for the capitalist system, if you let it get out of control, and humanity.”
Musician: “I like very much Fairuz, the Lebanese singer, and the other is Umm Kulthum. Fairuz is for listening to in the morning, Umm Kulthum for the night.”
The specs
Engine: four-litre V6 and 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: six-speed and 10-speed
Power: 271 and 409 horsepower
Torque: 385 and 650Nm
Price: from Dh229,900 to Dh355,000
Results
4pm: Maiden (Dirt) Dh165,000 1,600m
Winner: Moshaher, Pat Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer).
4.35pm: Handicap (D) Dh165,000 2,200m
Winner: Heraldic, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
5.10pm: Maiden (Turf) Dh165,000 1,600m
Winner: Rua Augusta, Harry Bentley, Ahmad bin Harmash.
5.45pm: Handicap (D) Dh190,000 1,200m
Winner: Private’s Cove, Mickael Barzalona, Sandeep Jadhav.
6.20pm: Handicap (T) Dh190,000 1,600m
Winner: Azmaam, Jim Crowley, Musabah Al Muhairi.
6.55pm: Handicap (D) Dh190,000 1,400m
Winner: Bochart, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
7.30pm: Handicap (T) Dh190,000 2,000m
Winner: Rio Tigre, Mickael Barzalona, Sandeep Jadhav.
The biog
Hometown: Cairo
Age: 37
Favourite TV series: The Handmaid’s Tale, Black Mirror
Favourite anime series: Death Note, One Piece and Hellsing
Favourite book: Designing Brand Identity, Fifth Edition
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
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At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
Results
Ashraf Ghani 50.64 per cent
Abdullah Abdullah 39.52 per cent
Gulbuddin Hekmatyar 3.85 per cent
Rahmatullah Nabil 1.8 per cent
