
Bob Vylan: 'The government doesn't want us to ask them why they are silent in the face of atrocity'
'We are not for the death of Jews, Arabs or any other race or group of people" they said in a statement issued on Tuesday. "We are for the dismantling of a violent military machine. A machine who's own soldiers were told to use 'unnecessary force' against civilians waiting for aid. A machine that has destroyed much of Gaza. We, like those in the spotlight before us, are not the story. We are a distraction....The government doesn't want us to ask them why they are silent in the face of this atrocity. To ask why they aren't doing more to stop the killing. We are being targeted for speaking up".

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Web Release
4 hours ago
- Web Release
Buckle Up for Even More Laughs in Your Own Language with Dubai Comedy Festival's Next Wave of Hilarious Global Acts Unveiled
Buckle Up for Even More Laughs in Your Own Language with Dubai Comedy Festival's Next Wave of Hilarious Global Acts Unveiled The laughter keeps on rolling as Dubai Comedy Festival 2025 announces its next round of comedy heavyweights and rising stars set to take centre stage this October. Featuring something to please every comedic taste, from eclectic Russian gags and surprising Hindi punchlines to not-to-be-missed English and French stand-up, this newest batch of performers adds even more cultural depth and global flavour to the city's funniest festival. Produced by BRAG and presented by Dubai Calendar, Dubai Comedy Festival has fast become a cornerstone of the city's live events calendar. With acts like Zakir Khan, Tom Segura, Morgan Jay, Joanne McNally, Akaash Singh, Omid Djalili, and John Achkar already confirmed, the festival is once again setting the bar even higher for unmissable entertainment in 2025. Taking place across Dubai Opera, Mall of the Emirates Theatres, Coca-Cola Arena, and more, the festival promises a non-stop rollercoaster of hilarity from start to finish. For the latest updates and to book your tickets, head to Seats are limited, so don't wait too long to lock in your spot at this unmissable event. Here's a list of some of the new acts set to descend on the Dubai Comedy Festival 2025: Amer Zahr: October 11 th at the Dubai Opera Redouane Bougheraba: October 12 th at the Dubai Opera Ivan Abramov: October 12 th at the Dubai Opera Gaurav Kapoor: October 12 th at the Dubai Opera Amer Zahr A powerful voice for Arab-American communities, Amer Zahr is equal parts academic and entertainer. 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A fan of eccentric hobbies and renowned for his ability to blend sharp intelligence with side-splitting humour, Ivan takes inspiration from everything from classical literature to video games, often sprinkling in hilarious anecdotes about his family and beloved pets. Performed entirely in Russian and presented by Facepalm Comedy, this is a one-night-only experience that fans won't want to miss. *This show is presented by Facepalm Comedy. Date: Sunday, October 12th Doors Open: 6:00 pm; Show Starts: 6:30 pm Venue: Dubai Opera; Language: Russian; Ages: 18+ Ticket Prices: VVIP: AED 795 VIP: AED 595 PLATINUM: AED 395 GOLD: AED 295 SILVER: AED 195 Gaurav Kapoor – LIVE IN DUBAI Get ready for a night of nonsense, hilarity, and outrageous anecdotes as Gaurav Kapoor, the sharp-tongued storyteller from Delhi, takes the stage at Dubai Opera on October 12th with a not-to-be-missed performance in Hindi. Known for his hilarious mix of observational humour and unpredictable observations on life, Gaurav dives into tales of 90s nostalgia, married life, corporate chaos, and more, with stories that may or may not be true. With an Amazon Prime special, HahaKaar, and countless sold-out shows under his belt, this is one set that promises non-stop laughs and a few surprises along the way. *This show is presented in partnership with AJ Entertainment. Date: Sunday, October 12th Doors Open: 3:00 pm; Show Starts: 3:30 pm Venue: Dubai Opera; Language: Hindi; Ages: 18+ Ticket Prices: VIP: AED 325 PLATINUM: AED 225 GOLD: AED 175 SILVER: AED 115 With even more performers and surprises still to come, the Dubai Comedy Festival is once again proving why it's one of the most anticipated events on the city's cultural calendar. Get social with Dubai Comedy Festival on?Facebook,?Twitter?&?Instagram? ? For more information, visit? ?


The National
8 hours ago
- The National
Is life more fun with our phones locked away? And a look at Glastonbury surprises
On Culture Bites this week, hosts Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews talk about the perks of going phone-free during comedy shows. Enas tells Farah about her experience of watching Dave Chappelle's stand-up act in Abu Dhabi where the provocative comedian took to the stage for a second year in a row. Attendees had to secure their smart devices in locked pouches to ensure no one filmed the performance. The hosts reflect on how a phone-free environment can enrich the audience experience and protect the arts from being overshared and diluted. Meanwhile, the Glastonbury Festival continues to make headlines all over the world even after it wrapped. Beyond the A-star line-up of headline acts, plenty of surprise sets kept fans on their toes: from an unexpected return by Lewis Capaldi to a performance by New Zealand singer Lorde. Enas and Farah talk about the power of commodifying surprises in a world where predictability reigns. here.


Middle East Eye
10 hours ago
- Middle East Eye
Bob Vylan: 'The government doesn't want us to ask them why they are silent in the face of atrocity'
English punk-rap duo Bob Vylan addressed accusations by the UK government and others that they were antisemitic after their Glastonbury performnce at the weekend, and said that the controversy surrounding them was a distraction from the real issue at hand: Gaza. 'We are not for the death of Jews, Arabs or any other race or group of people" they said in a statement issued on Tuesday. "We are for the dismantling of a violent military machine. A machine who's own soldiers were told to use 'unnecessary force' against civilians waiting for aid. A machine that has destroyed much of Gaza. We, like those in the spotlight before us, are not the story. We are a government doesn't want us to ask them why they are silent in the face of this atrocity. To ask why they aren't doing more to stop the killing. We are being targeted for speaking up".