Lebanese composer Marcel Khalife's Ya Maryam pays tribute to the Virgin Mary. Leslie Pableo for The National

Arabic version of Jingle Bells and other regional Christmas songs

Tunes reflect how the festival is shared and understood in the region

Music & On-stage

From Coldplay and Metallica to Tyla and JLo, the UAE’s best live shows of 2025

Music & On-stage

Why the Gulf has become central to Swizz Beatz’s creative vision

Music & On-stage

ExclusiveOmar Souleyman on Gorillaz’ Damascus and taking dabke to the world

Music & On-stage

‘I was too scared to admit the truth’: Kumail Nanjiani on new comedy special

Culture

The 50 best Arabic songs of 2025, from Nancy Ajram to Flipperachi

Music & On-stage

Rod Stewart in Abu Dhabi: Ageing rocker continues to defy expectations

Music & On-stage
Israel's participation in this year's Eurovision Song Contest is contentious, prompting a number of protests. Reuters

Eurovision host broadcaster to allow Palestinian flags and crowd booing

ORF says it will 'not sugarcoat anything or avoid showing what is happening'

Music & On-stage

Tyla ready for world's biggest stages after impressive Gulf shows

Music & On-stage

Palestinian folk song aims to top UK Christmas chart to support Gaza's children

Culture

Soundstorm 2025: New mum Cardi B shows she’s ready to take on the world

Music & On-stage

From Cat Stevens to Lionel Richie, the unmissable musical memoirs of 2025

Music & On-stage

Who is Flipperachi, the Bahraini rapper featured in Bollywood hit Dhurandhar?

Music & On-stage

Eurovision winner returns trophy in protest at Israel’s participation

Music & On-stage
Yusuf / Cat Stevens performing at the 2016 You Are Not Alone charity concert for Syrian refugees at Westminster Hall, London. Photo: Yusuf / Cat Stevens Archive

From Cat Stevens to Lionel Richie, the unmissable musical memoirs of 2025

Our top picks blend music history with personal revelations and offer fresh perspectives from some of the industry’s most enduring voices

Music & On-stage

Who is Flipperachi, the Bahraini rapper featured in Bollywood hit Dhurandhar?

Music & On-stage

Eurovision winner returns trophy in protest at Israel’s participation

Music & On-stage

Epic poem Antar and Abla reimagined as an Arabic opera in Abu Dhabi production

Music & On-stage

Newsletter

The Arts Edit

The Arts Edit

The insider’s guide to arts and culture in the Middle East

PreviewSign up