Our learning and exchange space for workshops, talks, screenings and creative experiments around music, culture and community.
Scene Builders
An editorial series of feature articles.
The first Scene Builders feature: its title, image, a line about it, and the article itself (it can use the blog post template).
Discover Series
Artists from the scene, and something of theirs to read, watch or hear.
(The artist)
Jeeda
Download and read “Swana Sonics: Permission to Dance”, the newsletter by Jeeda, a Lebanese-Egyptian multidisciplinary artist.
(The artist)
WYWY
Watch the music video for “You Don’t Have to Be Nice” by WYWY. The video was developed through Fujifilm’s “That Changes Everything” workshop.
(The artist)
Karam Toubba
Subscribe to “Back Left” by Karam Toubba as he explores the UAE and regional music ecosystem through grassroots perspectives.
(The artist)
Galat Admi & Sakré
Listen to “Rosy Roti” by Galat Admi & Sakré, an introspective EP that wanders through memory, despair, rebellion, and survival.
The four artist cards (images), and the link for each newsletter, video, Substack and EP.
(Archive)
UAE Independent Music Archive 2026
Last year, we tracked 30+ independent music releases coming out of the UAE through this archive. From bedroom recordings and self-released EPs to club records, ambient experiments, indie bands, rap projects, and everything in between. The scene is growing in every direction and this archive is our small attempt to spotlight, and celebrate independent music from the UAE.
If you released music in 2026 or are planning to release, we want to hear it.
The link to the archive itself, and the link to add a release. Also the archive artwork (the orange “UAE Independent Music Archive 2026” poster).
(Panel - Manarat Al Saadiyat)
The role of community radio
A panel conversation moderated by Tarik Omar, spotlighting the role of community radios from the UAE and beyond, with Bu Fari (MiZa Radio), Mohammed Abood (boxout.fm), Remon (ARABICBYNIGHT.RADIO) and Salah Sadeq (The Crate Radio), as part of Vinyl Souk’s takeover of Manarat Al Saadiyat.
(Interview - 25hours Hotel One Central)
Bill Brewster, interviewed by Megadon Betamax
Part of Souk Sessions x 25h, recorded at Vinyl Souk at 25hours Hotel One Central.
(Podcast - Dr.Head Podcast Studio)
This music fair is quietly changing UAE’s culture
Jayesh Veralkar shares the story behind Vinyl Souk, from a community vinyl fair to an independent record label documenting and championing the UAE’s alternative music scene: vinyl culture, building creative communities, and supporting the region’s next generation of artists. Hosted by Daryush.
The exact link for each video (the podcast is on the Dr. Head channel).
Workshops and screenings
All past events-
(Masterclass - 29 Nov 2025)
Mad Professor: masterclass and live set
Venue to confirm
Supported by Dadastrada
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(Workshop - 18 Oct 2025)
Vinyl Souk at Shabab Laboratory
Warehouse 30, Alserkal Avenue · 4–10pm
An introduction to vinyl DJing, with Digital Renaissance Music Institute
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(Workshop - date to confirm)
Introduction to Ableton Live 12
Venue to confirm
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(Film screening - date to confirm)
The Rest Is History
Venue to confirm
UAE premiere of a documentary on the early days of drum and bass
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1 Feb 2026
Mixtape: film screening at Mini Festival
25hours Hotel One Central
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13 Apr 2025
Studio 17: The Lost Reggae Tapes, film premiere at Mini Festival
25hours Hotel One Central · With Doc’n Roll Film Festival, dr.head and Cinema Akil in 25hours
Learning resources
Links to guides, tools and reading that Vinyl Souk recommends, each with a line on why.