Dj Recording Eskenderella - Safha Gedeeda

In 2005 they started playing virtually underground venues in Egypt. Listening to their music - let alone composing and performing it - was an act of dissidence. They developed quickly, shifting between revivals of the nation's classic tunes and ventures into new compositions. Using collective vocals, a piano, percussion and the oud, the band started collecting a wide and passionate audience.

At full strength Eskenderella consists of 14 members, several of them second and third generation artists and musicians.

During the 18-day Tahrir sit-in at the beginning of the Egyptian revolution, Eskenderella were one of the first bands to bring their instruments to the square and their music flourished with the revolution.

They travelled the country to perform at public gatherings, protests, sit-ins, factories, universities and big theatrical venues. Earlier this year they performed in Gaza, the biggest concert the city had known in two decades. Even in besieged Gaza everyone knew their songs, demanded favourites, and sang along with them