Masāfāt: Alternative Infrastructures: Music and Arts in Cairo

This discussion explores the opportunities and barriers to creating an alternative music and arts infrastructure in the current political climate of Cairo and the Middle East. Which practical strategies and networks for collaboration being used by creatives to circumvent the institutional blockages taking place? How do artists, labels and venues balance activism and political threats to their existence?

Cairo-based ZULI debuted on Lee Gamble's UIQ label with the Bionic Ahmed EP to resounding acclaim from JUNO, Fact, and The Vinyl Factory in early 2016. In Cairo he's a key player in the KiK (Kairo is Koming) group and one of the heads behind the city's pivotal collective VENT, as documented by Resident Advisor, where he's founded a beacon for Egyptian electronic music.  

Since launching in 2013, VENT has been focused on promoting independent music in Egypt, creating various platforms for over 200 musicians in the process. The VENT team curates a monthly program of performances, concerts, parties and workshops showcasing the diversity of the local scene and also international artists, collectives and labels.

Ma'n Abu Taleb is the co-founder and editor of Ma3azef. His first novel, Koll El Ma'arek, was published in February of this year. Ma3azef is an e-magazine dedicated to the critique, analysis and coverage of contemporary Arab music.

Sarah El Miniawy runs Simsara Music PR & Management, working closely with an intimate roster of artists and organisations at the forefront of independent music in the Arab world, including Alif, Nadah El Shazly, Mustafa Said, Nizar Rohana, Maurice Louca, Tamer Abu Ghazaleh, Ma3azef, Eka3 and Khyam Allami’s Nawa Recordings.

She developed her PR experience working for the Barbican Centre for eight years whilst pursuing a master's degree in music and anthropology at SOAS. Born in Algiers in 1980 to an Algerian mother and an Egyptian father, she was brought up between the two countries before moving to London in 2005. Sarah is currently based between Stockholm, Cairo and Beirut, producing events, residencies & collaborations between Swedish and Arab organisations and artists.

Masāfāt Music Pass: attend all four Masāfāt music events for £40

Masāfāt is a two-part festival taking place in London and Cairo this September. The festival is designed to create an open-ended, international platform to foster artistic and professional exchange between independent artists and professionals across the Middle East, North Africa and the UK.