Missing out on the coolest events in Dubai? We know where you’ll be in November: The Crowd Test Festival — the very first Art and Music Festival by The Sandy Times. 

The lineup is incredible: Mainline Magic Orchestra from Spain, Eden Burns from New Zealand, and a lot of your favourite DJs like Hani J, Hassan Alwan, Bazzzuk, and more.

Mark your calendar, snag your tickets, and get ready: November 16, 2024, from 5 PM to 3 AM at Monkey Bar, Dubai.

Hani J is an Abu-Dhabi-born music collector and DJ who was shaped by the city's vibrant late-90s underground scene, influenced by sounds from Detroit, Chicago, and New York. His passion for deeper, obscure electronic music led him to work at the iconic Kops Records, where he honed his craft as a crate digger and DJ. In the early 2000s, he played a pivotal role in the creation of Proton Radio, one of the first online platforms for electronic dance music. Now based in Dubai, Hani holds residencies at Gallery and Boogie Box, bringing his refined yet casual style to both local and international audiences. He also co-hosts the online radio show Palitronics and collaborates with The Flip Side on Astral Travelling, exploring the more eclectic sides of electronic music.

Kito Jempere is a world-renowned DJ and producer whose musical journey spans over two decades. Before 2013, Kirill (his real name) experimented with a variety of sounds, playing in punk-rock and jazz bands, DJing everything from indie-rock to drone, and even performing with a 30-piece disco orchestra. In 2014, the Kito Jempere project was born, with his debut album Objects on his own label, Fata Morgana. Since then, he has released four more albums (learn more about the latest one Part-Time Chaos, Part-Time Calmness), and now, Kito is working on The Sandy Times radio project, further expanding musical horizons and uniting the UAE’s music community.

What is the music scene in the Middle East like? 

Hani J: My exposure to dance music began in Toronto, where I grew up, though I was born in the UAE. In the late '90s, there was a significant diaspora moving from here west to places like the U.S., Canada, and Europe. That movement brought early exposure to electronic music, especially in the late '90s and early 2000s. People would come back to the Middle East, bringing electronic music with them. Over time, the internet and its evolution made it possible to be exposed to scenes, parties, music, while the avenues of influence became way more diverse. Today,  people can enjoy dance music from the more “seasoned” veterans, as well as rising stars in the scene.

There is also a very broad range of venues: from the mega clubs, to the “underground” parties around the city.

Kito Jempere: My first experience of coming to Dubai was in 2021 or 2022. Before going to a new place, I usually reach out to DJs I know for recommendations, but when I asked about Dubai, most people hadn’t been there or had only played at private events. It felt like a fresh, unexplored place, which made me excited to visit. On my second trip, I met Hani, who became my guide to the inner scene of Dubai. Now, after multiple visits, I can see that Dubai’s underground scene is developing its own identity. I see more DJs coming, and the music scene is definitely growing.

Commercial music is still big in Dubai, with artists like Peggy Gou playing, but there is also this world of underground dance parties. For example, we attended a party at a place Hani mentioned — Moist Paper. That was one of the best clubbing experiences I have had. Comparing it to cities like Berlin, where the music scene is well-established, Dubai feels new and full of potential.

Hani: Yeah, it is new, and I feel like there is a lot of power in that. What makes the Dubai scene unique is that it is largely driven by expats who love the music. Different groups bring their own experiences and vibes from where they come from — like the Lebanese community bringing flavors from Beirut’s club scene, or people from Russia, Ukraine, the UK, and other parts of Europe. It is still young and not fully organic yet, but it has the ingredients to grow into something bigger.

During COVID, the scene here became even more interesting because travel was restricted, and Dubai was one of the few places where events could still happen. That allowed the foundation of the scene to solidify.

Why does this region need a music radio station?

Hani: The radio station we are creating is a great platform for showcasing musicians, artists, and tastemakers in the city. It is also a space where we can share the experiences of artists from across the region who might not get as much visibility. Dubai, being a tourist hub, serves as a first point of reference for many people, and through this platform, we can expose them to the local and regional music scene.

Kito: Yeah, it is important for any scene to have a voice, and the radio is exactly that. It is a place where we can document, store, and repeat, so people can listen back and learn about the music and artists. I believe that as we grow, we will connect with more venues, promo groups, DJs, and live musicians to showcase their vision to the world. That is the most important thing for us moving forward.

Hani: I agree, and it also serves as an archival tool. People can hear about both the established artists in the region and the up-and-coming talent. It can create a timeline of how the music scene has progressed, and that is important for understanding its development.

Growing up in Toronto, I was heavily influenced by radio. My exposure to electronic music wasn’t just through clubs but through community radio stations. I would listen to mixes from legendary DJs like Tony Humphries from New York or Terry Mullen from Chicago. Radio was a space for the community, and that is something I would love to recreate here. It would be amazing if we could become a community reference, providing diverse, high-quality shows that people trust. Whether someone is driving, pre-partying, or chilling after a night out, I want them to rely on us for the perfect soundtrack.

Kito: Exactly. You already said it, but for me, it is about living in the moment and documenting it. If we don’t document the music and the scene, it gets lost. We need to capture this moment in time so people can look back and see what the scene was like — what kind of music we were playing, and who the key people were.

Why has The Sandy Times team decided to set up a new festival?

Kito: When we had this idea, it was like a crowd test. This event, for me, is about testing our ideas and seeing how the audience responds. The lineup for this event is new for Dubai, even though some parties like Boogie Box and Dance have been exploring similar directions. But for a venue like Monkey Bar, it is different. It is public-facing, freestyle, and modern. If I were a visitor in Dubai and saw this lineup, I would definitely check it out.

Hani: Yeah, I think Crowd Test is a good way to put it. It is a chance to feel the pulse of the city. Dubai is a mixture of new and old, foreign and local, and an event like this allows you to experience that blend. It is a place where tourists, visitors, and locals can all come together to see what is happening in the city.

Hani: One thing we emphasize is that we are not a fad. With the involvement of Kito, an international artist with an established pedigree the event will have a higher level of curation and sophistication. We are here not to chase trends or follow the "TikTok DJ." We want to create something with longevity, something sustainable. We are bringing in regional and international artists who are making a difference culturally, and that is what we want to highlight. This isn’t just about throwing big parties — it is about building something that will last.

Kito: Yeah, I agree. The aim is to create a space where people can meet, dance, collaborate, and bring new ideas. It is more than just the music; it is about fostering a community.

Hani: During COVID, I was part of a collective named Gallery. We were one of the few parties still happening at the time, and it brought so many new faces together. Many of the friends I have today are people I met through those parties. What was beautiful was that I believed some of them were inspired to start their own events. That is something we hope to continue — creating a place that cultivates people’s tastes and experiences.