Robert Worth tells readers of the New York Times:“They cannot perform in public. They cannot pose for album cover photographs. Even their jam sessions are secret, for fear of offending the religious authorities in this ultraconservative kingdom.”
“But the members of Saudi Arabia’s first all-girl rock band, the Accolade, are clearly not afraid of taboos.”
The band’s first single, ‘Pinocchio,’ has become an underground hit here, with hundreds of young Saudis downloading the song from the group’s Web site. Now, the pioneering foursome, all of them college students, want to start playing regular gigs — inside private compounds, of course — and recording an album.”
Perhaps in Dubai
The article concludes with this statement of hope:
“The band members’ parents support them, though they have asked them to keep things low-key. Eventually, Dina said, they hope to play real concerts, perhaps in Dubai.”
“‘It’s important for them to see what we’re capable of,’ she said.”
Link: Robert Worth, As Taboos Ease, Saudi Girl Group Dares to Rock, New York Times, 23 November 2008.
Dr Geoff Pound
Image: The band’s web site where you can read comments and listen to the band’s songs.
