The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

Friedrich Nietzsche famously said that“without music, life would be a mistake,” and while many would disagree with much of rhetoric, it’s difficult to argue this particular point. This week, Cairo’s bars, clubs and cultural centres have plenty in store and there’s a little something for everyone – jazz, indie, electronic and more. 

Ahmed Harfoush @ Riverside (Monday 21st)

(Photo: Harfoush Jazz Entertainer/Facebook)

Cairo crooner, Ahmed Harfoush, has been conspicuous in his absence on the gig circuit in Egypt in recent months, but jazz jongleur is back this week with a special gig at Riverside in Zamalek.

Maii & Zeid @ Cairo Jazz Club (Tuesday 22nd)

(Photo: Maii & Zeid/Facebook)

There have been few Lebanese-Egyptian alliances as fruitful as he one that brought together Maii Waleed and Zeid Hamdan – two of the most talented music-makers in the region. This week, the indie pop duo returns to Cairo Jazz Club.

Procession Towards the Unknown @ ROOM Art Space (Tuesday 22nd)

(Photo: Doha Khamis Zayn)

With the seasoned Sammy Sayed leading the way on vocals, Procession Towards the Unknown are unlike any other band in Egypt. You can attach words like experimental, ambient and ethereal to PTTU, but its best experience for yourself.

Disco Misr @ Riverside (Wednesday 23rd)

(Photo: Cairo Gossip)

Hot off the release of a new album, Amr Emad and Mosta El Sherif, aka Disco Misr, are back at Riverside with their unique and ever so dance-inducing retro Arabic tracks.

Firehood @ Cairo Jazz Club (Thursday 24th)

(Photo: Zach Haughn)

Fronted by Adham Roshdy (of Bullets in Jeans, Spunky Dynamite and Wyvern fame), Firehood are riding a wave of momentum as one of the more unique cover bands around right now – AC/DC all night long.

The Gypsy Jazz Project @ ROOM Art Space (Thursday 24th)

(Photos: The Gypsy Jazz Project/Facebook)

Inspired by the likes of influential jazz musician, Django Reinhart, the Gypsy Jazz Project are another band that has been gaining popularity in recent times and this week return to onen of their biggest supporters, ROOM Art Space.

The Meteors Project @ The Tap Maadi (Friday 25th)

(Photo: Cairo Gossip)

Made up of multi-instrumentalists, Gaser El Safty and Karim El Zanfally, The Meteors Project’s unique fusion of live instrumentation and electronic music takes centrestage at Cairo Jazz Club on Friday on a night that also sees DJing duo, Aguizi & Fahim, perform.

Do’souka @ ROOM Art Space (Friday 25th)

(Photo: Do’souka/Facebook)

Best known for hit single, Hashrab Hashish, the band formerly known as Luka are slowly gaining a reputation for being one of the best indie group’s in the city – which is in no small part thanks to the broody charisma of frontwoman, Luka.