Joseph Attieh Sings, Plays Keyboard and Drum In Beirut

Lebanon is witnessing the creation of a new pop star, the torch of Lebanese pop might be ready to be passed to the latest sensation Joseph Attieh. He has the sweet style of Ramy Ayach and his mannerism on stage combined it with the dance beat and party voice of Faris Karam and only then you begin to understand Joseph Attieh.

Upon leaving the Star Academy reality show few seasons ago, no other star has worked on his talent as much as Joseph has. He performs songs with a great deal of emotions, but he also feel the music, as you can see from his latest concert in Beirut were he brought down the house.

It's impressive to see how real people's love for this star is, they all look in the camera and say he is like a young brother who has been raised well and comes from a good home. Other musicians say this guy is an artist--he also paints. As far as the concert went, Joseph used it to lunch off his new album, a happy and dance inducing one indeed. He performed some of the songs and got to play the keyboard. In his interview below he told of three songs that he composed himself.

Then he offered to do the same for his peers. So he can now add to his resume, keyboard player, singer, composer, and music video director.

جوزف عطية يختتم مهرجانات أعياد بيروت

Iraq's National Anthem And Their Soccer Team

Iraq is having a rough road ahead as politicians are not murdering their people and turning in one another. They are also failing to deliver security to their people and have not manged to find a workable solution for their personal differences. Each group seems to seek help from a foreign government. There are those who get a boost from Iran, others get in from the United States, and some look toward Turkey and Saudi Arabia. In the meantime people are dying for no reason, bombs go off and people go to waste.

But there's still some hope at least for those who like soccer and good music. The national anthem--written by a Palestinian who loves all his follow Arabs. See Shatha Hassoun joins the Iraqi soccer team in performing the Iraqi National Anthem in a giant stadium. I adore the little Iraqi girl who makes me hopeful for a better future.  

موطني - النشيد الوطني العراقي مع المنتخب

WATCH: Zayn Malik and Niall From One Direction Fires Up The Night At The MTV Video Music Awards

One Direction took North America by storm as have quickly changed the focus of the MTV Video Music Awards, winning two early awards and stealing the attention from Rihanna and her other performer during the evening celebrating music.

But One Direction, lead by Zayn Malik the heartthrob British boy band, quickly took over, bringing thunderous cheers from the crowd upon winning best pop video. MTV tried something new this year, unveiling a double-decker red carpet that featured two stories of stars and celebrities. Thousands of fans lined up outside the show's new home, the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The house was packed in screaming One Direction fans who are into sugar pop.

You will be happy to know One Direction drew the loudest cheers of the day — something even rivals The Wanted acknowledged — even though fans had to labor under a scorching sun with the temperature at 90 degrees. But it was all worth the Katy Perry blowing kisses to each member of One Direction

It was the night's first televised award and one of five top-nominee Rihanna was up for. They also won the most share-worthy moonman during the pre-awards show. Katy Perry announced the first televised award of the night -- best pop video, which went to U.K. boy band One Direction for "What Makes You Beautiful."

One direction is the the first British act to debut atop the Billboard 200 album chart, seemed stunned as fans screamed upon announcement of their win. "We've grown up watching this show and to even be here is an honor," Niall Horan said before the band made its way through the crowd.
The New British Invasion Arrives, Conquers

Toni Qattan, The Guy Who Keeps Jordan Interesting

Few years ago, Jordan almost lost one of its youngest and brightest pop stars, Tony Qattan who was struggling with some serious health issues at the time. Two years later, he is back with force being the live of the party at Amman and Palestine biggest summer music festivals. We have shared his videos in Palestine this summer, and now comes his videos form his Amman concerts.

I like Tony he seems like a natural at this and he has always shown that he can keep the fans pleased with his varying style in between romance and folklore songs. He seems to be one of those happy people who you can tell if he is smiling--he seems to pull that one off very well.

Enjoy his own song and hgis cover of Jordan's most popular song Ya Saad. Not to mention Toni's good looks and high sense of style
 طوني قطان - دبك دبك حفلة 2012


طوني قطان يا سعد حفلة

WATCH: Elissa Concert أجواء حفل إليسا بنادي استاد الهوكي Par Ouailitto

So Elissa goes to Egypt, and headlines a massive concert where she brought her best hits to the country of 90 millions.  She appeared in that country's hockey stadium (an attachment to the Cairo staduim), people were dazzled, and the Lebanese diva is marking a great comeback concert that follows her smashing successful concert in her home--Lebanon

Elissa wore a modest yet gorgeous dress, orange dress! The stage seems to have been made just right for this mega concert where the fans finished the songs of Elissa before she started them. The concert was well organized and seems to have been a lot of fun where the songstress gave the concert goers a great time.

This is Elissa's first concert in post Mubarak Egypt, the venue fits 30 thousand people, three police units were in charge of protecting Elissa in addition of her personal guards who had to fight off many fans and admirers. Fun facts, Elissa lost one of her diamond earning as she was performing--she did not realize it till later. Some fan messed around with a laser pointer something that Elissa asked him to stop doing--she cut off the song to do that. Elissa was also caught off guard reading the lyrics to one of her songs on stage.

elissa أجواء حفل إليسا بنادي استاد الهوكي par ouailitto

Elissa And Her Lovely Boys Live On Stage

You have heard that Elissa is very close to her buddy Lebanese singer Wael Kfoury. They have performed together, appeared together in a number of events and media appearances. Some have even them linked romantically, so there you have it. Elissa has a concert recently in Beruit where Wael Kafoury was in attendance. She tried to get him to sing along her side by doing one of his songs--which they have performed together before. The crowd wanted him too, but Wael did not seem to be in the mode.

Wael polity apologized, Elissa played it cool, and told him as he wishes. She did not finish the song, but she tried to still tease the singer. Later that night, she performed with another young and charming singer who has composed one of her latest songs Ziad Bourji who with love performed a duet with Elissa and both seemed to enjoy their time.

It was a very entertaining concert where Elissa was much more fun and less awkward than people have gotten to be used to. It was her moment in the spotlight after not a great start for the year. Note, the change of outfits by the singer.

Elissa sings for Wael Kfoury / اليسا تغني ل وائل كفوري


Elissa and Ziad Bourji - Krehtak Ana / اليسا و زياد برجي - كرهتك انا

Best Of Mohamed Mounir "Voice Of Egypt" Live Concert

If you ever wanted a rock star personality, then you will find it with colorful Egyptian. He is the guy who take local music and makes it international with simple formula, make the music faster, but maintain the local flavor. For more than 20 years and this rock star has been in the business and has claimed a center stage. No one can make concerts as big as he can, that's why the biggest companies chase him down to sponsor his events. Yet he still has the fan's love and appreciation.

He loves the motherland--it's easy when you have been called the Voice of Egypt. He knows Egypt inside out like no other musicians ever could. His Ultras has uploaded a number of his songs which he has performed in his Marina concert--he took a nationalist tone as he declared "My Full Time Job is Egyptian", I can never move to another country, he concluded.

For some reason Mohammed Mounir seems the only star in Egypt who has no problem getting permits for his mega concerts--Amr Diab seems to have trouble doing that. Mounir keeps his cool like when his fans ran a game to see who can guess what color pants the singer will wear--they thought orange or red....he rocked the white pairs.

 محمد منير : أنا بشتغل مصرى


محمد منير - الليله يا سمره - حفلة مارينا 2012
 

محمد منير - يا حمام - مارينا



 محمد منير - رمـان - حفلة مارينا

Beirut Got Religion With Sami Yusuf Concert سامي يوسف في بيروت

This might sound silly a bit when it starts as the British Muslim rocker tries to make music out of his audience in his latest Beirut Appearance. I have no idea that the city of Beirut cared for Sami or his music--sure there are people who are non Muslim who enjoy the cool music Sami Yusuf makes, but his concert in Lebanon was a nice surprise.

Sami is a great musician with a heart of gold, he has made his fame all over the world with his music. His success has lead to the creation of many copy cats, but he remains the guy who did it first and made it possible for all the others to follow.

His concert was packed and the fans do memorize his songs, he has a great sense of humor when he teased the men of Lebanon. He dazzled the concert goers with his music and his persona. Props to Beirut for bringing out Sami to ring in the Muslim Eid.

Sami Yusuf in Beirut Holidays 2012 / سامي يوسف في بيروت

Michel Fadel, Lebanon's Hottest Pianist Pays Homage To Warda

Michel is an artist popular among those who like classical music--both Western and Eastern ones. Michel is loved by the majority of Lebanon's pop and romance singers because he gives them his heart through his music. Elissa loved the guy and shows up to his concerts and so does many other celebrities.

In his latest concert the pianist composer paid tribute to the late Algerian iconic diva Warda. In the piano he played some of her most famous songs. Michel makes grownup concerts embraced by the elite and the intelligentsia.

He was later joined by a celebrated violinist Dana Dabbous, together they made one wonderful live musical experience. Not sure hoe common is the writing on the piano, most classical artists do not decorate their pianos, but Michel did it to promote his beloved country as its name is all over the instrument.

Tribute to Warda - Michel Fadel Concert 3al Lebneneh in Beirut Holidays 2012

Dana Dabbous performing with Michel Fadel in A3yad Beirut 2012

Take Two: The Army In Lebanon Likes To Party

They recruited the big names for their big bash party, a guy who thins he is the shit--Nishan. They had a concert for the Eid, and star studded song followed. There has been never as many egos as this song has packed.

I love how cute, romantic, and spunky singers all looking tough and wearing army uniforms. I normally would think this is a disrespect for the uniform, but who are we kidding? The moment people star waving flags, some see pride, some see love, some see patriotism. Let me ask this, how many of those people on the stage singing for the army have a second citizenship?

What is the army trying to accomplish with those songs? Pop music does not make though people, it makes awesome dancers, if you want an army of awesome dancers, you got one. The army is tough and it should be made of real talent both men and women not some dudes who are too pretty or too dumb to get a visa to Canada.

I really do love Lebanon and want nothing but the best to that country and its people, but the reality is this Lebanon is not what you see on TV, it's so much more.

أوبريت جيش لبنان ع المسرح - حفلة البيال 2012

A Ramadan Classic "Wahawy Ya Wahawy وحوي يا وحوي"

Ramadan songs that stand the test of time are many, and we all love the classics. What some of us also love a classic makeover, like the video below from  female vocalist from Habaybna Band. Wahawy Ya Wahawy is a timeless song that we all have gotten used to listening too every and each Ramadan. It's really old song that has been remade and re-recorded by countless singers and bands.

This video was recorded at a Ramadan music festival in Cairo. I do not recall any singer ruining this song, each time it gets remade, I feel that people stick to the original song.

فرقة حبايبنا - وحوي يا وحوي

Do You Like This Mais Hamdan Song? Because I Don't

Multi talented Mais Hamdan has a drama on TV about living in the deep Egyptian south or upper Egypt as it has been really known. Then they asked her to do thre show's open credit song, and she cannot say no to that. I happen not to find this song any good, and I happen to think that Mais does not have the vocal strength or ability to pull any song.

I know she acts and presents TV shows, her sister Mai is the singer, I think each should stick to his craft. Why am I so mean? This is a song that should be only performed by someone who has lived an Egyptian childhood in those parts of the world, not someone who is there just for the money.

Mais Hamdan - Ya Abo Shal (Live)

When Fayrouz Karawya Sings, The World Smiles

There's a free spirit in Egypt's music scene, that free spirit happens to be able to sing and sing well. Call her Fayrouz Karawya, a singer with one album under her belt and more than a dozen of concerts in Egypt. At first she sang for the revolution which got her noticed, as she sounded so real and so in the middle of everything.

Then she released her album where she spoke about love, family, wrong kind of love, confrontations and other life matters. The album was a hit with the masses. Barra Menny delivers everything you would want from an indie album. There are the beautifully crafted lyrics, the raw emotions and anger. Then songs that only a women can understand and appreciate.

The album offered an entire package of happy and sad songs, love and hate songs, dance beat and sober cafe lounge ones.  So to talk about her projects and the album, Fayrouz sat with Fil Fan and gave them an interview about her music...and of course she did two songs for them.

لقاء فيروز كراوية فى دبي
Fayrouz karawya Sings For FilFan.com فيروز كراوية تغني لـ في الفن


Interview Fayrouz Karawya With FilFan.com (1)

You Need To See This Awesome Music Festival

I do not know what this is about, but I am hearing the words God and Christ over and over in the clip below. I see Muslims singers, next to Christian ones--a number of domination and other faiths as well. They are drawing a fascinating picture to the backdrop of mosque.

I am imaging this took place in Egypt to confirm that the people are united indeed. Music does bring people together and it seems bands from a number of faiths turned out for this event. A big band from Kurdistan's city of Arbil arrived to take part of this festival. The festival is about the Sufi tradition of music and self exploration.

The concert took place in the famous Saladin castle in Egypt.
مهرجان سماع السلام لكل العالم

EXCLUSIVE Nahwa - Lansob Kheima / نهوى - لانصب خيمة

2012 should be the year Arabia has met the reincarnation of one of its music legends. I am speaking of the legend of the singer Samira Tawfik. The singer who has that honor of being compared to Samira is a new lady that goes by the name Nahwa. She is performing under the Rotana music label and they just have let her new single out and I could not help by make that Samira Tawfik reference 

I am hardly the first one to draw that conclusion, Lebanese singer Wissam Al Ameer seems to agree with me. Among Nahwa's fans is another music mogul Tarek Abu Judeh--the man behind many of Yara's hits. The video below shows how popular is young Lebanese singer as she has a New Year concert at home where it was packed.

I do not know much about her thick eyebrows, but it might be a nice throwback to that era. The genre of music is the Bedouin style and dialect, something that has really been missing for the past decade. Enjoy the music and appreciate.

EXCLUSIVE Nahwa - Lansob Kheima / نهوى - لانصب خيمة


Nahwa @ New Year 's Eve 2011 | 2012 نهوى في حفل ليلة رأس السنة

Sham (Syria) Gets Some Love From Indie Music

Eskenderlla is busy this Ramadan season with concerts as they had a night of music on August 4th and they sang for Syria or Sham. I love this style of songs, you get a poem performed by one vocalist and then the music joins in and pick up the speed.

Not sure where this style originates from, but it might have come from Egypt or the Sufi school of music. It's nice that one of the most popular indie bands in post Mubarak Egypt would sing for Syria and the resilience of its people.

أسكندريلا - حيوا أهل الشام

Massar Egbari Brings Indie Music To Live Concerts

They are the geeky guys in your high school, they were not the popular kids, they were just shy and good at playing an instrument. So these guys got together and formed what has become on of the leading bands in Indie music in Egypt.

Unlike other bands, I feel massar egbari concentrates on the power of the lyrics and dreams as oppose to solid base music. Do not get my wrong, they have a roaster of talented musicians on the band's payroll. They have come together in 2007 and have been together ever since....their first international gig was in Malta. They have appeared in the indie music flick of 2011, Microphone.


I have come to like the mixture of funky and retro music, but most all their droves of fans as you see from the video seem to get into the lyrics and music that are put forward in a rish show MASSAR EGBARI means “Compulsory Detour”, per their website, here;'s how the band sees itself

They specifically chose this title as it explains how we are expected, or rather, dictated to behave and dress in certain manners Both, in title and in spirit, the band pokes fun at typical social norms and trends, which is clearly reflected in their music and chosen lyrics. This sarcastic name was created since the band members felt that the society is trying to imply its power over people starting from their childhood till the day they die. This social power wants to stereotype everything including the way people think and feel, leaving no space for creation and innovation. Massar Egbari presents music and songs talking about the social problems. Love is not thier main concern although it represents a part of our songs. Through the members’ different musical backgrounds, the band is presenting a kind of Alternative Egyptian Music, mixing rock, jazz and blues with some Oriental music.

مسار أجباري - الشهيد/حاوي


 مسار أجباري - يا عم

050 Band - Aywa Ana Intentionally Funny Song

050 Band delivers great live performances where they show an apatite to get better, they have always gotten better as they get more gigs. They came to the spotlight more than a year ago and have manged to retain a large fan base.  Now they are back with yet another humorous song of theirs.

In "Aywa Ana" it's me, the one wearing funny things, eating American things and wearing cool sneakers. This is an funny response to the many voices in Egypt who accuse the activists of being foreign imports. Yes, I have no shame nor was I raised up well....I am the one who causes the crash of the crash.

hope you like it...I know I liked the message and the guitar does not hurt.
050 Band - Aywa Ana / زيروخمسين - أيوا أنا من برنامج البسطه

A Composer, A Manly Man And The Lady Known As The Sun

Najwa Karam and Melhim Barakat might be linked romantically, but their collaboration goes deep in history. They both have so much love and passion to give, and they both adore every inch of their home, Lebanon. So they got together with another Lebanese dude who has sang fro everything and everyone in Lebanon.

Together they performed this song live and the fans went crazy as those three legends know how to fire up the crowds best. This an older clip when we barely knew some of the people in it, but looking back at it, it was one of the most memorable live experiences in Lebanon.

Each of those singers brings something to this song, they personal and the voices are about even. Lebanese are proud people and they have done their country proud in every corner of the world. It's time to watch this clip and think how beautiful life can be.

عاصي الحلاني و نجوي كرم و ملحم بركات - لبنان يا بلدنا

This Is What Passes For Oriental Nights In Lebanon

This is the 6th time this music festival takes place in Lebanon! They bring only Lebanese singers to party with the massive crowds who are hungry for music and good times. I find most of the music acts have to say something or sing about Lebanon--a good place.

Nawal Al Zoghby put on a good dance show--she filmed it too for promotional purposes and a music video. Assi Hallani turned the heat up with his all Lebanese style, just see the folks dancing up as he sang away. Ramy Ayach owned the night even though he performed last--his fans would wait for this handsome devil and his new single "The Apple".

It seems that each of the festival appearances had a new summer single to treat their fans to at this large music festival knows as the oriental music festival. The festival had a a young up and coming singer Sabine who was featured on the festival to lure in the younger fans. Sabine relied on her outfit and dance movies to stand out.

P.S. MTV, the Lebanese TV network is the force behind this music festival--I tend not to approve of the MTV's political agenda, but their musical one is a different story.

عاصي الحلاني كواليس مهرجان الاغنية الشرقية السادس 2012


نوال الزغبي - كواليس مهرجان الاغنية الشرقيه السادس 2012


سارا الهاني - كواليس مهرجان الاغنية الشرقيه السادس 2012


رامي عيـاش كواليس مهرجان الاغنية الشرقية السادس 2012