Jordan’s Summer Festivals: Homegrown Alternative Music

Amman - Given the regional political heat this year, Jordan is expecting the Jerash Festival to be a major tourist attraction.

The percentage of Arab tourists is already expected to rise due to turbulent conditions in neighboring countries.

The festival will resume for the second consecutive year after a hiatus of three years.

As with last year, the organizers are making do with tight budget constraints.

This has meant that the number of local artists this year will increase and fewer performers from abroad are expected to participate.

The 22nd Fheis Festival will be held this summer as well.

The festival’s management announced the program, which will begin on July 11 under the title “Jordan: History and Civilization.”

Alternative music has made a strong comeback in Jordan this year, with the release of debut albums by some local artists and groups.

The main stage for alternative music this summer will be the Souk Jara Theater in Jabal Amman.

The rich variety that alternative music offers is considered a unique opportunity for Jordanian youth seeking non-commercial material.

However, the alternative musical scene requires time to develop and also needs to spread outside of the capital Amman.

Nevertheless, there is a high demand for these festivals, and performance by a local band may be better attended than a Jerash Festival concert.

Alternative music still relies mainly on a local audience, while the Jerash Festival anticipates Arab tourists.

This article is an edited translation from the Arabic Edition.