A new alternative music scene in Beirut

The recently released ‘96.2 Music Compilation’ produced by Incognito features 11 new talented Lebanese artists and bands. They are the finalists, selected by the jury of Radio Liban and their ’96.2 modern Music Contest.’

This contest was organised in partnership with The Basement, Incognito, The French embassy in Lebanon, In Concert, El Tek & Time Out Beirut.

& the nice part is that we are invited to witness the birth of this new alternative music scene in Beirut. It's happening at the Basement club, on the 1st of March 2009, starting 6pm.

On stage: A.Boxx, Soul +, Cristobal, Elyas Diez, Karimbo, Mashrou’ Leila, Lara Matar, Stéphanie Merchak, Sylvain Nassar, Sandmoon & Anthony Touma. Rap, pop, rock, electronic music, soul, funk… in English, French or Arabic, they will perform, in a single night, original unreleased compositions.

My main interest is in Mashrou' Leila.

A Must follow Lebanese musicians group. "They're a tough bunch to describe," says one admirer of the band. "What to expect? A crunch of instinctual vocals, bold lyrics, and catchy tunes," he adds.