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At the time of writing, Lebanon remains an exceptionally challenging territory for any form of international culture. “We are in the midst of war,” says Richard Pharaon of WE Group. “So the first challenge we face is internal and external security.”
His company is one of the more prominent promoters in the territory, recently responsible for shows by Stomp, Béjart Ballet, and Jean-Michel Jarre, but they are by no means the only operator. Others include Buzz Productions, EventBox, Solicet, and Factory People, a Beirut-based group of artists and music enthusiasts. “There are new companies with significant resources and not necessarily extensive experience, along with a few older and experienced companies,” says Pharaon.
Alongside security challenges, issues remain around what Pharaon calls “all the unexpected taxes we are facing with our government. Then there’s the local public’s taste and shrinking purchasing power.” He also notes corruption and the influx of Egyptian “idol artists” who sign contracts for “unimaginable fees” as further challenges to be overcome. He adds, “It is easier to work with foreign artists. In order to work and promote young local artists, we have to embrace a blend of cultures.”
“There are new companies with significant resources and not necessarily extensive experience, along with a few older and experienced companies”
Lebanon, and Beirut specifically, are not without a significant number of music venues, even though several are located near the waterfront and were damaged in the 2020 Beirut explosion. There’s the MusicHall Waterfront, MusicHall Starco, and the Beirut International Exhibition & Leisure Center, which has hosted Shakira, 50 Cent, Mariah Carey, and Avicii.
For now, however, it seems it may be some time before similarly high-profile international artists return. “Currently, foreign artists are cancelling their commitments with Lebanon due to the war,” says Pharaon. “In a stable security situation, tours and other activities can resume, with promoters re-establishing contacts with foreign and local artists for the more important productions.”