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MUSIC IN LEBANON

Beirut’s young music scene: Revival after years of struggle

Following the 2019 economic crisis and COVID pandemic, Beirut’s music scene almost fell silent as bands and venues struggled to make ends meet. Five years later, there are signs of revival as new talents emerge. Here are some bands to look out for, and their stories.

Beirut’s young music scene: Revival after years of struggle

From left to right: Ibrahim “Bob” Al Khansa, Julie Abou Kasm, Rebal Abu-Fadel (Courtesy of Bliss, Instagram)

A gentle guitar riff lazily weaves its way between oak trees and swaying listeners, chased in the dark by a dreamy voice. Before long, soft drums set the tune in time but the speaker crackles and pops as the song suddenly crescendoes.Bliss was the youngest band performing at Oakenfest’s 2024 festival and one of the first bands to emerge after Lebanon’s economic crisis – exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Beirut port explosion – brought the country’s music scene to a jolting halt.New artists like Bliss are contributing to the scene’s revival, working with limited resources but endless passion. L’Orient Today has created this guide of some up-and-coming artists in Lebanon who you may wish to add to your playlists. Looking for more light reading? Sign up to Breakfast in Bed, our newsletter served sunny-side up BlissBliss,...
A gentle guitar riff lazily weaves its way between oak trees and swaying listeners, chased in the dark by a dreamy voice. Before long, soft drums set the tune in time but the speaker crackles and pops as the song suddenly crescendoes.Bliss was the youngest band performing at Oakenfest’s 2024 festival and one of the first bands to emerge after Lebanon’s economic crisis – exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Beirut port explosion – brought the country’s music scene to a jolting halt.New artists like Bliss are contributing to the scene’s revival, working with limited resources but endless passion. L’Orient Today has created this guide of some up-and-coming artists in Lebanon who you may wish to add to your playlists. Looking for more light reading? Sign up to Breakfast in Bed, our newsletter served sunny-side up ...