'We shouldn’t have performed': Egyptian band Cairokee's front man Amir Eid
Ahram Online, , Sunday 8 Nov 2020
The band performed at a concert in ZED Park, Sheikh Zayed, after a long absence from the stage.


Egypt's popular rock band Cairokee's front man Amir Eid revealed on Twitter his concerns regarding the last concert held by the group at ZED Park, Sheikh Zayed on 5 November.

"There was no social distancing, no protection as required, neither from the organisers nor audience," Eid wrote in his post on Friday.

Referring to the COVID-19 pandemic Eid said, "we shouldn't have performed at this time, but we realised the situation too late; this will not happen again. I hope everyone who attended the concert takes good care and keeps social distancing."

للاسف مكانش في تباعد او التزام او وقايه بالشكل المطلوب. من قبل الناس و المنظمين و الحقيقه كمان مكانش المفروض احنا نعمل حفله في هذا الوقت ولكن استدركنا الموقف متأخر وده مش هيتكرر تاني . يا ريت اي حد حضر الحفل ياخد باله و ميخطلتش بحد.

— Amir Eid-أمير عيد(@AmirEid)November 6, 2020

On 26 October, the organisers posted an ad on their Facebook — ZED Egypt — inviting the audience to the concert: "Get ready for a show of a lifetime as one of Egypt’s most legendary acts, Cairokee, takes to the stage.We will be making sure to adhere to all health and safety measures in order protect our guests from the spread of COVID-19."

Days prior to the event, the band assured on Facebook that all the precautionary measures would be taken, asking the audience to adhere to the strict preventive regulations.

The concert which took place on 5 November was the first time Cairokee performed on stage in a long time. The event was fully sold out prior to the date of the concert.

Founded in 2003, the band's line-up originally included lead vocalist Amir Eid, guitarist Sherif El-Hawary, drummer Tamer Hashem, bassist Adam El-Alfy, with keyboard player Sherif Mostafa joining in 2008.

Their major breakthrough came during the Egyptian 2011 revolution when they released a hit single Sowt El-Horreya (The Voice of Freedom), followed byYa El-Midan (Oh the Square) featuring singer Aida El Ayoubi.

To date, they have performed extensively in Egypt and internationally.

In December 2019, Cairokee gave their first ever concert in Paris at Le Petit Bain, a floating cultural venue in Paris.

The band has released several studio albums including Matloob Zaeem (2011), Wana Maa Nafsy Aad (2012),El-Sekka Shemal (2014), Nas w Nas (2015), Noaata Beida (2017),and The Ugly Ducklings (2019).

Following a three-month lockdown due to the Coronavirus, Egypt cautiously allowed the return of cultural activities in July. The events' organisers are required to adhere to the precautionary measures to avoid the spread of the virus.

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