Among the list of classic acts and A-list stars playing as part of the festivities at this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, it doesn’t escape Kicksound’s notice that they rank squarely among the least known.
Even put alongside the three other UAE rock bands playing Beats on the Beach, they stand out a mile – the only band without an album to their name, at the time of writing Kicksound clock just 652 Facebook likes, dwarfed by Juliana Down’s 25,800, Nikotin’s 14,300 and The Boxtones’ 35,500.
But as Saturday’s Corniche gig wraps up a manic month in the Kicksound camp, all that could be set to change. One of the UAE’s best-kept secrets for too long, the trio performed to their biggest crowds yet at Gulf Bike Week (October 30-November 1), as thousands gathered at Dubai Media City Amphitheatre. Friday saw the long-awaited live launch of Kicksound’s debut EP, a four-track disc of alt-rock brimming with ideas and verve.
The band are the brainchild of the singer/guitarist/frontman/songwriter Olly Ephgrave, a 33-year-old Brit who rocked Beats on the Beach back in 2010 as a member of the Latin-tinged singer Fatiniza’s band.
“Beats on the Beach is a major coup for us,” says Olly. “We’re the least established band, which is nice because people don’t know what to expect. Hopefully we’ll prove ourselves on the night and pick up some new fans on the way.”
The EP’s release was preceded by an inventive social media-baiting publicity stunt, which saw Kicksound release a fresh video of them performing classic rock riffs, or original material, for 30 days leading up to the launch.
Listening to the set as a playlist, it’s amazing how well the band’s dense, aggressive but slightly groovy compositions sit next to classics by bands such as Guns N’ Roses, Nirvana and Metallica. More amazing, everything is new – before Kicksound, Ephgrave had never written nor sung lead vocals. Three of the EP’s four songs are the first he ever wrote, the bulk of material written in a single month-long burst of inspiration three years ago.
However, the recent recruitment of the fresh bassist Will Skidmore – a 34-year-old Brit who joins the Serbian drummer Branislav Trkulja, 40, in the rhythm section – has reportedly energised the creative process, with new riffs starting to flow thick and fast. Let’s hope they are caught on a full album soon – because after Beats on the Beach, Kicksound will rank clearly among the ones to watch.
Kicksound perform at Beats on the Beach on the Abu Dhabi Corniche on Saturday, time to be confirmed
rgarratt@thenational.ae
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Saturday's schedule at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
GP3 race, 12:30pm
Formula 1 final practice, 2pm
Formula 1 qualifying, 5pm
Formula 2 race, 6:40pm
Performance: Sam Smith
Company%20Profile
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GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
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Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
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