Egypt's 6 Best Noncommerical Music Festivals

Cairo is an amazing city for music enthusiasts. But beyond the city's plethora of live venues, the greater Egypt area is home to many music festivals celebrating different genres of music throughout the year. From camping, solar-powered festivals to ones that curate nights of concerts, there is something for all classes of music-lovers.

Below are some of Egypt’s most celebrated music festivals that focus on all genres of music, not just the mainstream. We know, we know: so hipster. But we can't help it.

Venue: Soma Bay, Red Sea

Egypt is a country rich in cultures and natural beauty, but sadly not all people venture beyond the traditional vacation spots to learn more about their country. That’s why 3alganoob, which means In The South, set out in 2013 to introduce the first camping music festival, taking music enthusiasts through Egypt’s southern cities to promote tourism and benefit the local tribes.

What started with three local bands and 350 attendees in 2013 exploded into a line-up of 19 bands from Egypt, Lebanon and Sudan and 1,200 attendees in 2014. This year, the festival is expected to be even bigger.

With yoga sessions, craft workshops, jamming sessions, drum circles and much more, 3alganoob has gathered many young, alternative-art enthusiasts around it.

A word to the wise: drug and acid use has been reported during the previous festivals, so there might be naked people running on stage. Which actually did happen last year. You've been warned.

Venue:  Ras Sudr, South Sinai

Dissatisfied with the fine details of planning and managing 3alganoob, a couple of its promoters decided to withdraw from the main event and plan a more organized music festival. Only this time, the festival will celebrate nature as well as music. They have built an ecofriendly campsite that relies on solar energy for everything except the music equipment and sound systems.

Taking place for the first time this year, Oshtoora’s line-up for 2015 includes 20 artists from Egypt, Palestine, Sudan, Morocco and Lebanon. That is in addition to the workshops and activities, which will include yoga, flamenco, slacklining and more.

Venue:  Maagana Camp, Nuweiba

A 3-day music festival that takes place in Sinai’s Nuweiba, Cloud 9 is another underground music festival that was founded in 2013. Much like the atmosphere of Nuweiba, Cloud 9 is chill event that embraces hippies and the free spirit crowd. And to make sure that all your senses are immersed in the performance, most of Cloud 9’s music performances are accompanied with visual installations.

But note that the smell of hash will probably fog the camp, according to some of last year’s attendees.

Venue:  Historical places across Cairo

Samaa’ shatters the misconception that spirituality lies within houses of worship only and reminds people that spirituality can travel through the simplest things, such as good tunes.

The seventh round of the festival took place in September 2014, and brought life, music, tranquility and peaceful songs to several historic spots across Cairo. Last year, it featured bands and musical groups from more than 16 Arab and foreign countries.

While most of the above is independently organized, Samaa’ is organized by the Egyptian Culture Ministry, the Cultural Development Fund, and the Tourism, Antiquities and Foreign Affairs ministries.

Venue: Azhar Park, Cairo

Back when Cairo Jazz Festival was still a rather small event, it was hosted at the Sawy Culture Wheel, and it was there that I attended the first CJF. Since the first CJF in 2009, I have been exposed to new musicians from around the world, each bringing their own idea of jazz mixed with a cultural twist to Egypt.

One thing unforgettable memory is hearing a Japanese artist play the hang-drum for the first time. I didn’t know what that instrument was at first, but it had a really soothing sound.

Venue: Cairo Opera House, and other venues across Egypt

For 23 years, the Arab Music Festival has honored and hosted many Arab musicians, as well as highlighted several astounding Arab vocalists.

The festival’s latest rendition invited many iconic artists from around the region such as Syrian Safwan Bahlwan, Moroccan Foad Zabady, and the Lebanese Marwan Khoury and Melhem Zein. That is, of course, in addition to Egyptian artists Ali El-Haggar, Mohamed El-Helw, Medhat Saleh, Hani Shaker and Amaal Maher.

The nine-day festival included 39 concerts which featured 74 artists from 12 countries across Cairo, Alexandria and Damanhour.

The Egyptian music scene is ever-changing with more festivals taking place, while others cease to exist. My advice for you is to always mark your calendar for the interesting festivals, and to keep an eye on all that’s new.