Fresh Sounds of the Fall gig review: Dubai hipster, but in a really good way

Scroll down the #Dubai tag on your Instagram feed and you'll find skyscrapers, lots of selfies and fancy cars, which is nice and all, but sometimes you need a change of pace.

On Saturday, I headed down to the Dubai Garden Centre for a gig called Fresh Sounds of the Fall by a UAE music initiative, Freshly Ground Sounds. 

Another in a string of chilled out, acoustic open mic gigs that encourage newbie/amateur/non-commercial performers to come up and perform for a welcoming, supportive community of music lovers.

All the performers were amazing. Highlights include Kali Juali (not just for their name, which if you haven't figured it out is a spin on the popular Arabic phrase "Khalli Walli"), whose set included a cover of Dave Matthews Band "Crash into Me" using wind chimes; Therese and Shane's cover of Riptide; Josh Monteath, whose vocals were enjoyed by the majority, and who was a clear crowd favorite; sisters Iman and Sarah's cover of Ghost, which was lovely; elecro/synth indie band Parallel Sound System, who were jamming when we entered, and are a new favorite of mine for their chilled out sound; and 'Nushka, whose cover of The Chainsmoker's "Kanye" was a standout.

The venue, which had a BBQ station and pop up shops like The Sameness Project's #TheConversationChair, which encouraged strangers to sit with each other and have a conversation - with Humans of New York-esque questions like "What is the biggest problem you're facing today?"

The UAE has a burgeoning indie scene and it was refreshing to see that the crowd and performers were a mix of young and old, and of different cultural backgrounds.

Sidenote: I bought a tiny basil pot at the Garden Centre because it just smelt so good I couldn't resist and how often do you get to go plant shopping anyway?

As the weather gets a bit cooler in Dubai, outdoor gigs can only get more relaxing and enjoyable. Freshly has announced its next gig is on October 20th - more details can be found on their Facebook page at the bottom of this post.

(Image: Instagram @h1980) 

(Image: Instagram @hibawaraich)

(Image: Instagram @whatsondubai)

 Instagram @imanalshaybani)

Freshly Ground Sounds website, Facebook.

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What it's like to go 31 days without a smartphone

I've been pretty MIA this past month and let me tell you why.

I lost my phone.

I was pretty heartbroken about it, but like everyone was quick to tell me, while looking up for 5 seconds from their own phone screens, things could be worse. At least I had my health.

It's not a particularly unique case of a missing phone. I was out with a few friends, the next day when I looked for my phone to look at the (probably terrible) selfies from last night, I realized what happened.

It was heartwrenching. Everything, EVERYTHING was on that phone.

Phone numbers, notes, appointments, Google maps which I relied to navigate around Dubai (I'm the worst), my alarms for work (I had at least five), pictures, videos, my really cute polka dot phone cover that everyone hated.

We did what we could to try and locate the phone - I had installed the lose my Android app with GPS which shows you the last location before the phone died, we deduced it was probably in the cab, but after many calls to RTA, there was no answer about the phone and the case was closed. People told me to lodge a case with Dubai Police, in case the phone was stolen, but I knew at that point it was pretty much hopeless. The phone was gone for good.

40 days? Why did you go that long without a phone?

I didn't. A week later, I caved and decided to upgrade to a newer version of my old phone. Unluckily for me, upon opening the box the first day, I discovered the device was defective. Long story short, after multiple visits to the seller, and a lot of struggles with the management, I handed back the phone and got my refund.

By strange coincidence, all this happened around the time of the iPhone 6 launch, and the Middle East's largest electronics event, Gitex, where they planned to release it to the public.

I read every blog post, watched every product review, and every news article about the iPhone 6. #Bendgate had me a little concerned but I have the upper body strength of a toddler, and wouldn't bend my phone like a very expensive Twizzler anytime soon.

In the meantime, I used a replacement phone without any internet data package (I felt like I was living in 2004 again).

On the day of the launch I headed there, braved the throngs of people and went up to the first seller I saw -

Me: "Do you have -"

Seller: "The iPhone 6. Nope, all sold out."

This was Day 30 without a smartphone. Getting home after pushing myself out of the swarm of shoppers, I was sweaty, exhausted and emotions were running high.

My concerned sister went online and purchased an iPhone 6 from JadoPado (a Godsend) and I had the phone a day later.

I was overjoyed.

31 days of endurance without a smartphone. With having to sit and watch other people happily using their own phones.

Source: Gifly

Of being the last one to dish out on anything new or be up to date with news.

Source: Gifly

Resorting to desperate measures to appear less awkward in public. (Image source: Gifly)

Of missing that 15 minutes of bliss in bed before sleeping.

Of not taking any selfies. When I got my hair cut, it made friends and coworkers do a double take since they hadn't seen any pictures online. I think people may have forgotten what I looked like completely.

Source: Gifly

Of not being able to surreptitiously glance at my phone when I was bored, or when I needed to Google something or Shazam a song, or show someone something cool.

Ooops, I can't.  (Image source: Gifly)

I know there were a few times I was glad I didn't have a phone.  I went to Lady Gaga's Monster Ball and Zedd in Dubai. Both were absolutely amazing, and even better because I wasn't one of the hundreds of other concert-goers with raised hands recording blurry footage on their phones, and Snapchatting selfies to make their friends at home jealous.

Source

Or realizing how rude it was when people were on their phones constantly during a meal or at the cinema.

Source: Gifly

I saw this video that went viral that talks about the social media age we are in currently. It makes you think about taking a break from your phone and appreciating real life once in a while.

I watched it from my iPhone, oh well.

So what have you guys been up to? Connect with me on Facebook or Twitter or in the comments below. I can finally talk to you guys and I'm so glad I can!