As the second half of Ramadan rolls in, for some, marathon television watching and quiet nights in after iftar might be starting to feel redundant. Luckily, the holy month in Cairo is also a busy season for the city’s vibrant musical scene. From the age-old musical traditions of Sufi chanting and Zar, to alternative rock and classical music; plenty of concerts are still taking place across the capital for the next two weeks for those wishing to celebrate Ramadan through music. ‘From Earth to Sky’: Wust El-Balad at El Sawy Culturewheel, Zamalek Wust El-Balad – whose name translates to ‘Downtown Cairo’ – was founded in 1998. From a handful of friends jamming in small, dimly lit cafes, the band has since grown to regional fame and played a key role in shaping Egypt’s underground music scene. Initially comprising singer-songwriter and actor Hany Adel on the guitar and lead vocals, vocalists Ismail Fawzi and Adham El Said, oud player Ahmed Omran, bass guitarist Ahmed Omar, and percussionists Mohamed Gamal El-Din and Ehab Abdel-Hameed, Wust El-Balad’s lineup has seen various changes since its establishment. Nonetheless, the band has continued to be a…
