Red Bull Music Academy hits Beirut for '2-Nights Underground'

This weekend in Beirut, Red Bull Music Academy is presenting "2-Nights Underground" in collaboration with Audio Kultur Sound System on March 27 and 28 at the Bus Station in Mar Mikhael. Headlined by Massive Attack's Daddy G and The Wanton Bishops, the two-day festival will feature live performances by Middle Eastern acts such as  Za'ed Na'es of Jordan, Zahed Sultan from Kuwait and Parallel Sound System of the United Arab Emirates, as well as regional and international DJs on Saturday night.

Red Bull Music Academy hand-selected some of the leading artists in the Middle East and North Africa region for the two-day celebration of musical styles. With Audio Kultur's credo of being "The Voice of the Underground", the partnership is fitting.

Lebanon was chosen to host the "Middle East Meets West"  amalgam of sounds event because it is a regional hub for emerging talent. It is this understanding of the musical landscape as well as the ability to program and curate such a line up that makes this two-day event taking place in Mar Mikhael, Beirut, the heart of the local Lebanese indie music scene, so special.

Annually, Red Bull Music Academy takes 60 aspiring musical talents from throughout the world ranging from producers, performers, DJs and instrumentalist and sends them off to an intensive month-long academy with lectures, recording sessions, collaborations and performances in a chosen city's best musical venues. The selected musical talents see the opportunity as a giant boost to their musical careers, as they receive not only a valuable spotlight but also the opportunity to make connections during the academy.

In addition to the intensive academy, they also host different concerts – like the one happening this weekend in Beirut, events and bootcamps to support local artists and inspire collaboration.

As a brand, Red Bull has made a history of radical marketing techniques, including extreme stunts. Just in January for example, the energy drink company staged Cedric Dumont's epic sky-dive flight over the pyramids in Egypt. Supporting and promoting underground music culture is another marketing tool that Red Bull uses to not only support rising talent but also to enhance its own brand recognition, although it has landed itself in hot water recently with its forays into the world of music.

Whatever their motivation, we're excited for the music this weekend. Here are a few of the acts that will be playing.

Saturday will feature international and regional DJs including Daddy G – Massive Attack from the United Kingdom, Nickodemus – Turntables on the Hudson from the United States, Captain Planet – Bastard Jazz from the United States, JC Pinto from UAE and Rami O – Beirut's Bright Side from Lebanon.