Myspace turns 20 years old this month.
After launching in 2003, the site not only demonstrated the increasingly influential role social media would play in our daily professional and personal lives, but also functioned as a music discovery platform for future stars.
While Myspace went on to be surpassed by Facebook and X (formerly known as Twitter) over the years, its musical legacy has endured.
Here are 10 artists who were discovered on Myspace.
1. Adele
Long before headlining arenas and having her own Las Vegas residency, Adele displayed her talent to anyone who would listen.
That meant playing in small pubs in London and uploading her music on Myspace in the mid-noughties.
Someone from UK label XL Recordings eventually came across her tracks online, including a rough version of the first official single, Hometown Glory, and Adele was signed.
The rest is history.
2. Arctic Monkeys
The UK group's passionate fanbase helped get them discovered.
While the group were busy playing small gigs and releasing demo CDs, supporters took it upon themselves to upload some of these tracks to Myspace.
The songs caught the attention of Domino Recording Company, who promptly signed them in 2005.
As well as releasing seven albums, the Arctic Monkeys recently played to more than 100,000 people when headlining the Glastonbury Festival in June.
3. Calvin Harris
Before the pulsating electro sounds of 2007's Acceptable in the 80s became a UK club hit, a demo version of Scottish DJ and producer Calvin Harris's first major release did the rounds on Myspace.
The relative buzz reached the ears of Harris's future manager Mark Gillespie, who made him the first signing of his fledgling music management firm.
Harris went on to release a string of global hits, including This is What You Came For and How Deep is Your Love, becoming one of the highest-earning DJs in the music industry.
4. Avicii
Avicii has Myspace to thank for his moniker.
Because his real name, Tim Bergling, was already being used, he chose the Buddhist-inspired term Avicii as well as Tim Berg, before releasing acclaimed tracks including 2010's Seek Bromance and 2011's Fade Into Darkness.
Avicii went on to forge a successful, although ultimately tragic, career.
5. Sean Kingston
The Jamaican-American singer was another active Myspace user.
He not only uploaded mixtapes, but also tried to connect with record companies and producers.
One of those accepting his friend request was producer J R Rotem, who made Kingston the first signing of his burgeoning Beluga Heights record label.
Not long after, Kingston released his 2007 self-titled debut album, which featured the US and UK chart-topping single Beautiful Girls.
6. Lily Allen
The British pop star used Myspace as a power play against her former label, Regal Recordings.
Reportedly dissatisfied by the lack of attention to her work, she signed up to the platform and released a bunch of demo recordings online.
The quality of the music, including the hit LDN, not only gained her industry buzz and thousands of fans, it convinced the label to throw more resources at Allen's debut album by connecting her with star producers Greg Kurstin and Mark Ronson.
Released in 2006, Alright, Still went on to sell more than two million copies in the UK and earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Alternative Music Album.
7. Panic! at the Disco
The US rock group knew what they were doing on Myspace.
Before releasing their 2005 breakthrough debut album A Fever You Can't Sweat Out, Panic! at the Disco released teasers and frequently engaged with users of the platform to build a cult following.
Before disbanding earlier this year, the band released four albums and headlined arenas on world tours.
8. Kate Nash
Before becoming a UK hit, a more rustic version of Foundations by English singer-songwriter Kate Nash was available on her Myspace page.
Supported by fellow Myspace star Allen, she went on to secure a record deal in 2007 and release her UK number one debut album Made of Bricks.
9. Enter Shikari
You never know who is listening online.
While British rockers Enter Shikari were playing local gigs and uploading songs on Myspace, a DJ from Kerrang Radio came across the band online in 2005.
Alex Baker was so impressed, he streamed the track OK, Time for Plan B straight from the band's Myspace page to the radio.
Enter Shikari released their first album, Take to the Skies, in 2007 and went on to forge a successful recording and touring career.
10. Zed
The German DJ, known for hits Clarity and Spectrum, got his career break after Skrillex came across his work on Myspace in 2010.
Not only did Skrillex reportedly play Zed’s track This Year the same night he heard it online, he also invited him on his next tour the following year.
Crops that could be introduced to the UAE
1: Quinoa
2. Bathua
3. Amaranth
4. Pearl and finger millet
5. Sorghum
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
The 12 Syrian entities delisted by UK
Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Defence
General Intelligence Directorate
Air Force Intelligence Agency
Political Security Directorate
Syrian National Security Bureau
Military Intelligence Directorate
Army Supply Bureau
General Organisation of Radio and TV
Al Watan newspaper
Cham Press TV
Sama TV
if you go
The flights
Fly to Rome with Etihad (www.etihad.ae) or Emirates (www.emirates.com) from Dh2,480 return including taxes. The flight takes six hours. Fly from Rome to Trapani with Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) from Dh420 return including taxes. The flight takes one hour 10 minutes.
The hotels
The author recommends the following hotels for this itinerary. In Trapani, Ai Lumi (www.ailumi.it); in Marsala, Viacolvento (www.viacolventomarsala.it); and in Marsala Del Vallo, the Meliaresort Dimore Storiche (www.meliaresort.it).
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
Pots for the Asian Qualifiers
Pot 1: Iran, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, China
Pot 2: Iraq, Uzbekistan, Syria, Oman, Lebanon, Kyrgyz Republic, Vietnam, Jordan
Pot 3: Palestine, India, Bahrain, Thailand, Tajikistan, North Korea, Chinese Taipei, Philippines
Pot 4: Turkmenistan, Myanmar, Hong Kong, Yemen, Afghanistan, Maldives, Kuwait, Malaysia
Pot 5: Indonesia, Singapore, Nepal, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Mongolia, Guam, Macau/Sri Lanka
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Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
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)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2018 Jaguar E-Pace First Edition
Price, base / as tested: Dh186,480 / Dh252,735
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder
Power: 246hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 365Nm @ 1,200rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.7L / 100km
PSA DUBAI WORLD SERIES FINALS LINE-UP
Men’s:
Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY)
Ali Farag (EGY)
Simon Rosner (GER)
Tarek Momen (EGY)
Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL)
Gregory Gaultier (FRA)
Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)
Nick Matthew (ENG)
Women's:
Nour El Sherbini (EGY)
Raneem El Welily (EGY)
Nour El Tayeb (EGY)
Laura Massaro (ENG)
Joelle King (NZE)
Camille Serme (FRA)
Nouran Gohar (EGY)
Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG)
Voy!%20Voy!%20Voy!
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MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Ukraine 2 (Yaremchuk 06', Yarmolenko 27')
Portugal 1 (Ronaldo 72' pen)
