Gaza Calling: A Charity Concert For Gaza
Aziz Maraka and Humam Ammari performing live at the Courtyard
Written By: Shaden Abdulrahman
As the outrageous attacks on Gaza district by the Israeli military forces entered its 22nd day; Jordanians continued to condemn these attacks each in his/her own way. And while a number of previously planned concerts were canceled or postponed, some took place to support people in Gaza and protest the massacres taking place in the neighboring country.
Play 99.6 in joined efforts with a number of Jordanian companies to put on a show featuring Palestinian band Ramallah Underground, Jordanian singer/composer Aziz Maraka, Humam Ammari, DJ Sotusura and EP. On their blog, Play 99,6 had announced that all proceeds from the concert would be used to buy essential medicines, food, and blankets for Gaza through the Jordan River Foundation.
The concert started with DJ Sotusura followed by some of EP’s intellectual electronic music with live visuals by Blouzaat. Half an hour later, Ramallah Underground blazed the stage with their powerful rap. RU performed a few new songs in addition to old masterpieces such as “Nateejeh Bala Shoghol”, “Min El- Kahif” and “Taht El-Anqad”. Some of these songs called on the Arab youth to rise up and lead the change in their world, while some told the tragic stories of devastated Palestinians living under the Israeli occupation.
Ramallah Underground singing “Nateejeh Bala Shoghol”
Next up was Humam Ammari and Aziz Maraka Band. Humam who said he wasn’t surprised that such a big number of people came to support Gaza, performed several songs including John Mayer’s “Waiting on the world to change” and we were surprised but equally lucky to listen to Aziz’s “Ebki” as his appearance hadn’t been announced prior to the concert. Aziz has been asking his fans to boycott companies that support Israel on his facebook fan page.
The concert lasted for two and a half hours during which hundreds of people enjoyed their time and simultaneously made a statement. It’s a great feeling when Arab artists come together for a good cause, and what could be greater than supporting our brothers and sisters in Gaza?
great review shaden. part of me has been curious to see how different forms of protests have been manifesting themselves in Jordan lately. we are used to defining the word “protest” in a very mainstream vernacular. In truth, I think the past three weeks have brought about various ways in which people have donated money, time or energy towards a single cause.
when it came to this concert, it felt incredibly west Ammani, to the point of discomfort. however, that’s who it was catering to I guess and it succeeded in doing so.
as for Ramallah Underground, I think they changed my mind about Arab rap.
Naseem, well the concert for me was great and I hate to feel west Ammani … so to avoid this feeling I just left when Humam Ammari started playing … coz Humam Ammari music is this music when it starts ppl raise their hands with lighters and start waving slowly … which fits West Ammanies style
EP, DJ soutsoura and Ramallah underground are not west Ammanies style at all … they are some ppl style inside west Amman which we can call “Underground community” who somehow escaped of “west Amman culture” or “American wanabe culture” …
by the way they raised 11000 JD’s from the tickets and around 800 hundred ppl attended the concert …
“they raised 11000 JD’s”
that’s pretty impressive for a two hour event
Well, it was a west Ammani concert in terms of audience but then again that was their target. But I agree with Ibrahim, it got too western for me when Humam Ammari started singing, not that he doesn’t have a great voice of course.
btw, for 11000 jd the concert was a huge success! I could tell that nearly a thousand people were there but i wasn’t sure. it would be interesting to know how many of them paid 50, 25 or 15 JD for the ticket.