The Beirut Music Hall opens a branch in Dubai

The Beirut Music Hall, which was established in 2003, is thought of as a large part of the nightlife of Lebanon’s capital. The venue which celebrates international music hope to expand it’s locations globally including Istanbul, Barcelona and Dubai, The National recently reported.

Michel Elefteriades the owner of The Beirut Music Hall told The National that Dubai fit the Beirut Music Hall's ethos perfectly saying that “There is something miraculous about Dubai, The city is doing well while the world is in crisis. A lot of people thought Dubai would never be the same after the financial crisis, but what happened was the opposite - the city is continuing to grow while others, especially in Europe, are still suffering.”

Elefteriades said that another reason he was drawn to Dubai was the venue which will be able to accommodate up to 1,000 audience members, the 500 square meter hall is larger than the one in Beirut, however the interior will be similar to the original in Lebanon. The stage will be detailed with draping red velvet curtains and hand-sculptured roses.

Elefteriades said “A big stage without creativity is not art and a small stage with creativity leads to frustration, Dubai will allow me to be more creative in the lighting and projections. I can really create something good here,” he also said that although the stages are almost identical the Dubai Music Hall with technically be better.

Elefteriades explained that his initial idea for the music hall was “to DJ- but in a live music kind of way.” He said that “we want people to come and enjoy the night, not have the feeling of just watching the show.”

The music hall doesn’t host cover bands or headline act, however they are famously known for keeping the identity of performers a mystery to the audience as they take to the stage and perform a ten minute set.

The music that will be showcased at the music hall will be mostly world music ranging from traditional and classic Arab songs, reggae, bossa nova and gypsy music from the Balkans, the key to a lot of the artists being originality. Artists will also have the opportunity to cover a pop song if they wish as long as they are able to put their own twist on it.

Elefteriades has promised that the Dubai venue will be even more eclectic then the original and will cater to Dubai’s cosmopolitan crowd. “There will be some new acts that have never played in Beirut. There will be some Indian music at a later stage, and there will also be a Russian folk music band performing,” he said.

The first few months will be dominated by acts that Elefteriades is familiar with and have previously performed in the Beirut Music Hall, however he has said that he will eventually scout for local talent.