Lingering between the towering skyscrapers and the (very close-to narco aesthetic) lights of Dubai lies a beating heart of uprising– a scene that refuses to be boxed in by the city’s “luxurious” facade. It’s where the rough meets the glamorous, where underground isn’t just a term but a badge of honor. This isn’t about the Dubai you see in the Emirates Airlines ads; This concerns other Dubai (one of the many people aren’t aware of), the one pulsating, almost clandestinely, to a rhythm of subversive melodies, its very air textured with a sleek swish of streetwear, each thread warning you with “This is #mydubai.“
The Pulse of the Underground Scenes.
Think Dubai, and you might conjure images of opulent hotels, sprawling malls, and even tigers and lions as pets. Yet, nerd deeper, and you’ll discover the feedback-amplified sound of electric guitar riffs, skateboard trucks gliding on concrete, some rattling spray cans ready for graffiti and punk shouts echoing through hidden venues. These aren’t the sounds you’d expect in a city known for its “polish”, but they’re as real as the desert sand. The metal scene, once a roaring fire, might have dimmed to embers, but those embers burn with an intensity that is fueled by pure passion. Local bands experimenting with contemporary sounds remind us that metal isn’t just music; it’s a legacy.
Punk and Hardcore, with their unapologetic voices and presence, might play the stray underdog in this cityscape, but their bark is fierce, and their bite is filled with stories of resilience. Here, punk is not dead; it’s buried alive deep underground, 100% working class and self-organized, plotting its next uproar—or not.
And what about hip-hop? Well, I love hip-hop culture, but let’s be honest. It stopped being underground a long time ago. Sometimes, it’s too mainstream for my liking. Still, Rap, a genre both alien and allied, injects a cadenced diversity into the urban minds and provides a much-needed social juxtaposition.
A Fashionable Rebellion.
But what’s a scene without its style? In Dubai, alternative music and streetwear are in a passionate moshpit or breakdance. Either way, it’s where Chimera strides in, its message as bold as the music that fuels it. It’s a beacon for those who wear their identity as a second skin and those who like it, except those who wear sweatshirts, sweatpants, and all oversized pastel color garments.
This 2-step emo-karate of music and fashion isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s a reflection of a culture that thrives under towering skyscrapers, where every chord and clothing piece tells a story and shares a message.
The Sempiternal Mutation.
Dubai’s alternative scenes are a testament to the city’s ever-changing face, a reminder that beneath the surface lies a world vibrant with diversity and creativity, or the TMNTs ¯_(ツ)_/¯ . Dubai’s music and fashion scenes are not static; they have been mutating in parallel with global tendencies, much like the city itself. So, as long as there are stories to be told and music to be played, but most importantly, people reluctant to fit in, these scenes will continue to flourish, adding layers to the Dubai’s cultural identity that are as intricate as they are inspiring.
In the streets of Dubai, where tendencies have a catwalk, the alternative scenes act as Panadol for this interminable migraine of sameness. Here, the underground scene is not just surviving; it wants to be alive, and we must keep it like that.
OK, Enough.
Here, in the heart of the desert, in this man made Oasis, alternative music and fashion scenes remind us that culture is not monolithic. It’s diverse, dynamic, but also deeply personal. In the end, Dubai teaches us that even in the most unexpected places, there are a bunch of MOFOs who refuse to conform.Make your own luck!
Photo by: Moonstomper Production.