Practically unimaginable not too long ago, Doha is now actually emerging as a party destination. In five years' time, if things keep going as they are, it should rival Dubai as the place to be.
Jared McCulloch, a leading local DJ and one of the founders of Global DJs, responsible for staging many live dance music events and bringing in well-known DJs to the country, told The Peninsula: “The market is starting to develop, like Doha itself, with different music creating new scenes. I have heard some cool new producers here, great rappers and crazy human beat-boxers, so the Doha scene is starting to take shape.”
Doha's music scene is at a nascent stage and certainly is no Ibiza or Amsterdam. McCulloch said: “Before Global DJs, there was only really hip-hop and R&B being played. Now the market is starting to grow, becoming dominated by dance music. We have introduced Top 20 DJs like Judge Jules and Marco V and Top 10 DJs Above & Beyond and Christopher Lawrence to Doha, as well as Safri Duo and DJ Sammy. Between them, they have sold millions of albums worldwide."
Global DJs also holds the rights to Hed Kandi, the UK-based music label and party brand, which recently witnessed a full house here at an event held at the Ramada's Qube club. Clearly, entertainment-starved Qatar has welcomed the DJs with a shimmy and a shake. "The response has been amazing, exceeding our expectations. We have had great feedback and support from young people here in Qatar," said McCulloch.
“Considering the rate of people who are moving here, the facilities opening in Doha and the huge demand for live entertainment, then there is no reason why Qatar shouldn't level up to Dubai in the next five years. Global DJs is proof Doha is capable of putting on some well-organised, well-attended music extravaganzas. People are already hitting the dance floor and are eager for more,” said McCulloch.
Ibiza, Doha may not be, but people from around the region make the short trip to the city to check out the DJs. "We have people travelling over from Dubai, Bahrain and even Saudi Arabia to come and see Global DJs. Interest is growing all the time. There is definitely a growing demand for top live music gigs here in the Middle East,” said McCulloch. Interest is high enough for the organisation to have set up its own page on social networking site Facebook.
Naturally, clearances from local authorities are required for DJs to perform here. “A standard entertainment licence is needed for the venue, listing the DJs,” said McCulloch.
A DJ can charge anything from 5,000 euros (QR26,763) to 100,000 euros (QR535,145) for a gig. And the sum does not include airfare and accommodation, which are extras. “It's crazy, but they can attract thousands of people to a single event, so in the end it should be worth it,” said
McCulloch.
A mega-event is planned for this Friday at the Qube from 8pm onwards. “After a long time trying, we have managed to get American house music legend Who Da Funk, whose track ‘Shiny Disco Balls’ spent eight weeks in the UK Top 40, to appear, before he heads to Pacha in Ibiza. We have also got DJ Carey, one of the UK’s leading female DJs and DJ Sam also on deck.”
The Pen
Follow us on our social media channels:
@ILQlive
@ILQlive
@ILoveQtr
ILoveQatar
