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CairoScene
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
What If Tumblr Was Built on Mashrou' Leila, Not Arctic Monkeys?
So I grew up on Tumblr. It shaped the way I write. It shaped my music taste. And both of those things ended up shaping me into a music journalist, a career that started somewhere between obsessively reblogging The 1975 edits and being a hardcore Arctic Monkeys fan. I went to their concerts more times than I can count (still waiting to see Lana live… one day). Back then, my phone background was a grainy black-and-white picture of shirtless Matty Healy that I had to hide inside a folder on my Samsung Corby so my mom wouldn't find it. I had entire pages filled with 'aesthetic' gifs, lyrics in Courier font, and that eternal search for curated melancholy. So I had this random idea one day at work, and I sent out a quick survey, just asking my friends and coworkers if they remembered the Tumblr era. And they did. Deeply. Not just the photos and the filters, but the feelings. The obsessing. The quiet heartbreak we all romanticized at 2AM. Everyone had their version of it, but somehow the memories all rhymed. It felt like we were remembering something sacred we'd all built together. And maybe that's what we miss the most, this collective act of reimagining. So I decided to take it one step further: to imagine what Tumblr might've looked like if it had been built here. Around us. Around our music. Our lyrics. Our dramas. Because let's be real: we didn't just have the aesthetic, the makeup, the fashion, the deep stares out of taxi windows. We had the language. Arabic poetry can make you want to isolate yourself from the world and cry on the bathroom floor. We didn't need to scream 'Lovin' you is hard, bein' here's harder', we had 'Inta Eh' by Nancy Ajram in a goddamn nightgown. Why did Lana get the monopoly on sad-girl seaside rage in 'High by the Beach' when Nancy literally did it first? That's what this is, Tumblr-core reimagined. A world where the Middle East and North Africa shaped the internet's soft grunge aesthetic instead of watching from the sidelines. Where we didn't just reblog, we created the canon. What If Our Nostalgia Didn't Need Translation? Let's talk about it. The feel of Arab Tumblr would've been split into two parallel universes - one revolutionary, one romantic. But at their core, both were built on the same thing: feeling everything all at once. And for many of us, this wasn't an aesthetic we curated, it was just life. On one end, you've got revolutionary-core: the gritty grayscale of resistance. Protest footage reblogged with Arabic graffiti across the walls. Photos from the streets of Syria, Egypt, and Tunisia during the Arab Spring, tear gas clouds, raised fists, cracked asphalt and hope. Martyr dedications in bold white text on black backgrounds. Smoke curling in slow motion over lyrics like 'صوت الحرية بينادي'. Sadness, yes, but with purpose. Melancholy layered over memory, over movement, over mourning. And the soundtrack? Bands like Cairokee with 'Yal Midan' and 'Matloob Zaeem', whose rise was directly carved out by the revolution. The kind of music that made you feel like history wasn't something that happened, it was something you could scream into existence. Jadal playing in your headphones on the bus ride to a school that might be closed tomorrow because of political unrest. 'Akher Oghneya' lyrics scribbled in your notebook like a secret prayer. You'd scroll past rainy street photos of downtown Cairo captioning 'Kenna Netlaka' by Fayrouz. Or find an old radio playing protest songs in the background of a grainy kitchen snapshot. A Darwish quote pasted over a photo of a scribble 'قف علي ناصية الحلم وقاتل' The vibe was grief, but it was alive. Then there's fluffy-core - soft revolution. Glitter in tea glasses. Pomegranate seeds on Persian rugs. Cats stretching in window sills as the call to prayer echoed in the distance. Henna tattoos, evil eye bracelets, Tarot decks next to Nagat cassettes. The kind of mornings where you wake up on your teta's balcony to the smell of coffee and the soft hum of Fayrouz from a neighbor's radio, a memory so shared it feels collective. Girls in fake Doc Martens & skinny cigarettes (or shisha) typing lowercase captions like 'normal people scare me'. Books stacked on a nightstand, Gibran, Qabbani, and a half-read English translation of Rumi. The nostalgia wasn't performative. It was rooted in something tangible. Something that smelled like jasmine and sounded like hope in the background of a childhood memory. And the architecture? Already Tumblr-coded. Cracked walls with vines growing through them in Palestinian cities. Hand-painted ceramic tiles from Morocco. Yellowed photos of old balconies from Lebanon. Mashrabiya shadows in Old Cairo filtering sunlight like God himself applied a sepia preset. It was all there, the melancholy, the romance, the rebellion, long before hashtags or aesthetics told us it was cool. Arab Tumblr wouldn't have been an aesthetic we borrowed, it would've been one we invented without knowing. What If Our Fangirls Looked Like Us? Let's be honest: if you were on Tumblr, you had a secret fanbase. Whether you were writing moody poetry in the tags, or just reblogging edits at midnight, you were definitely hiding something. One Direction fanfics, Alex Turner thirst edits, maybe even a Lana Del Rey shrine. But imagine if our fanbases looked like us. Instead of The Neighborhood or 5 Seconds of Summer, we'd be posting Mashrou' Leila lyrics like they were gospel. Zooming in on 'Lil Watan' w 'Raasuk' and setting it in bold white Arial on a low-res photo of a protest in Beirut. We'd be crying over 'Shim El Yasmine' the way we cried over 'Robbers.' There'd be Jadal song lyrics in the captions of selfies taken on Retrica app with tangled headphones. Elmorabba3 edits floating around with glitchy VHS filters. Teen girls would be wearing their band t-shirts with denim skirts, fishnets, and that signature chipped black nail polish that says i overthink everything and romanticize heartbreak. And don't even get me started on the Arab girlie pop icons. There would've been a whole soft pink Tumblr niche dedicated to Sherine, Ruby, Nancy, Haifa, Elissa—dark hair, blonde highlights, lip liner, spaghetti straps. CD covers scanned and shared around like holy relics. Posters taped to every bedroom wall. Let's be real: Arab girls started all the aesthetics that are trending now (specially Y2K core). We just didn't get the credit. What If We Typed in Arabic? If you were on Tumblr between 2012 and 2017, you know that lyrics weren't just lyrics, they were personality traits. Black text on a white or pink background, no punctuation, always lowercase. Halsey said 'I found god / I found him in a lover' and suddenly everyone had a flower crown and a god complex. Lana Del Rey breathed 'we were born to die' and it felt like heartbreak had a soundtrack. Melanie Martinez had us romanticizing our trauma and crying in pastel, baby-doll fonts. Now imagine that energy, but in Arabic. Imagine posting the lyrics of 'Yumain O Leila' from Jadal, قلت نام وقوم تنساها ، او عد عيوبها تكرها، بس حتي العيوب بتحليها after a late-night argument with your highschool boyfriend. Arabic is already a poetic language, but when those lyrics hit just right, it's devastating in the best way. Heartbreak, nostalgia, identity crises, all already Tumblr, just waiting for the aesthetic treatment. If the Tumblr girls knew about Mashrou' Leila in 2014, their dashboards would've never recovered. What If It Was Still Ours? This piece started with a question, and a bunch of replies that said 'hey, I remember this too.' Maybe we didn't have a Tumblr-core Arab world in real time. But maybe we didn't need to build it. Maybe we already had it, in old Sakia concert flyers, in stolen lyrics in our Notes app, in blurry phone clips of someone covering an indie song in a bedroom somewhere. One Mashrou' Leila reblog at a time. One sad girl anthem. One grainy gif of Cairo at night. It's late. But it's here. And it's always been ours.
Scottish Sun
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Star of Arctic Monkey's famous album cover now – and his secret TV star pal
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FANS of the Arctic Monkey will well remember their debut album, that launched the band to fame in the mid-noughties. The iconic album cover to Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not featured a young lad smoking - and we can reveal what he looks like now and who his VERY famous pal is. 5 Chris McClure got a taste of fame when he was the poster boy for the Arctic Monkey's famous album Whatever People Say I Am That's What I'm Not Credit: Handout 5 Chris is seen here as he looks now Credit: Instagram 5 Chris was friends with the Arctic Monkeys before they were famous - seen here in 2006 Credit: PA:Press Association The man on the front of the Arctic Monkey's first ever record was Chris McClure, who was just 16-years-old at the time. He landed the gig of posing as the poster boy for the album after he met Alex Turner, Matt Helders, Jamie Cook, Andy Nicholson, and Nick O'Malley in Sheffield before they were famous. However, he has now revealed just how much he was paid to be on the album that has since gone down in history. In an interview with Northern Chorus posted on Instagram, Chris said: "I was given about 700 quid." More on unrecognisable stars BLAST FROM THE PAST Noughties sitcom legend looks unrecognisable 10 years after show ended Chris has previously recalled the story of how he ended up on the Arctic Monkeys most famous album. Speaking to The Guardian in 2016, he recalled how he became friends with the band - who weren't famous at the time - when he was just a teenager. Chris said: "I frst met the Arctic Monkeys on the last bus home. We were 16. "We'd go to the same gigs in Sheffield, then see each other on the number 77 – so we became friends. "When they went on their first tour, I was their guitar tech: I couldn't tune a guitar to save my life, but I think they wanted someone who was part of the gang." Talking about being asked to be on the cover of their now very famous debut album, Chris recalled: "I was studying sociology at Manchester Metropolitan University when I got a call from Andy Nicholson, the bassist. Arctic Monkeys performs I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor and Arctic Monkeys playing Glastonbury as headliners in 2007 "They were working on their debut album, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not, and wanted pictures of a guy on a night out for the artwork. "There was no suggestion it was for the cover. Andy asked if I'd do it, and I said why not? I'm not sure why me. I never asked. I think they just wanted someone normal." He then revealed he was given a "wad of cash" to get drunk and to come back at 2am to take the picture. Talking about becoming famous overnight, after the album was released in 2006, Chris said: "That Monday, my phone never stopped. It was bonkers; like being dipped into fame. Everyone in the world wanted to know who I was." 5 Chris spilled the beans on what it was like to be on the famous cover Credit: Instagram 5 Chris is good pals with Line of Duty star Vicky McClure Credit: Facebook STAR PAL Along with the Arctic Monkeys, Chris also has another very famous star pal. He is also friends with Line of Duty star Vicky McClure - no relation. The pair have struck up a close friendship over the years, and she often helps him plug his daytime disco, Day Fever. Vicky features on his Instagram grid in short videos.
The Sun
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Star of Arctic Monkey's famous album cover now – and his secret TV star pal
FANS of the Arctic Monkey will well remember their debut album, that launched the band to fame in the mid-noughties. The iconic album cover to Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not featured a young lad smoking - and we can reveal what he looks like now and who his VERY famous pal is. 5 5 The man on the front of the Arctic Monkey's first ever record was Chris McClure, who was just 16-years-old at the time. He landed the gig of posing as the poster boy for the album after he met Alex Turner, Matt Helders, Jamie Cook, Andy Nicholson, and Nick O'Malley in Sheffield before they were famous. However, he has now revealed just how much he was paid to be on the album that has since gone down in history. In an interview with Northern Chorus posted on Instagram, Chris said: "I was given about 700 quid." Chris has previously recalled the story of how he ended up on the Arctic Monkeys most famous album. Speaking to The Guardian in 2016, he recalled how he became friends with the band - who weren't famous at the time - when he was just a teenager. Chris said: "I frst met the Arctic Monkeys on the last bus home. We were 16. "We'd go to the same gigs in Sheffield, then see each other on the number 77 – so we became friends. "When they went on their first tour, I was their guitar tech: I couldn't tune a guitar to save my life, but I think they wanted someone who was part of the gang." Talking about being asked to be on the cover of their now very famous debut album, Chris recalled: "I was studying sociology at Manchester Metropolitan University when I got a call from Andy Nicholson, the bassist. "They were working on their debut album, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not, and wanted pictures of a guy on a night out for the artwork. "There was no suggestion it was for the cover. Andy asked if I'd do it, and I said why not? I'm not sure why me. I never asked. I think they just wanted someone normal." He then revealed he was given a "wad of cash" to get drunk and to come back at 2am to take the picture. Talking about becoming famous overnight, after the album was released in 2006, Chris said: "That Monday, my phone never stopped. It was bonkers; like being dipped into fame. Everyone in the world wanted to know who I was." 5 STAR PAL Along with the Arctic Monkeys, Chris also has another very famous star pal. He is also friends with Line of Duty star Vicky McClure - no relation. The pair have struck up a close friendship over the years, and she often helps him plug his daytime disco, Day Fever.
The Irish Sun
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Star of Arctic Monkey's famous album cover now – and his secret TV star pal
FANS of the Arctic Monkey will well remember their debut album, that launched the band to fame in the mid-noughties. The iconic album cover to Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not featured a young lad smoking - and we can reveal what he looks like now and who his VERY famous pal is. Advertisement 5 Chris McClure got a taste of fame when he was the poster boy for the Arctic Monkey's famous album Whatever People Say I Am That's What I'm Not Credit: Handout 5 Chris is seen here as he looks now Credit: Instagram 5 Chris was friends with the Arctic Monkeys before they were famous - seen here in 2006 Credit: PA:Press Association The man on the front of the Arctic Monkey's first ever record was Chris McClure, who was just 16-years-old at the time. He landed the gig of posing as the poster boy for the album after he met Alex Turner, Matt Helders, Jamie Cook, Andy Nicholson, and Nick O'Malley in Sheffield before they were famous. However, he has now revealed just how much he was paid to be on the album that has since gone down in history . In an interview with Northern Chorus posted on Instagram, Chris said: "I was given about 700 quid." Advertisement More on unrecognisable stars Chris has previously recalled the story of how he ended up on the Arctic Monkeys most famous album. Speaking to Chris said: "I frst met the Arctic Monkeys on the last bus home. We were 16. "We'd go to the same gigs in Sheffield, then see each other on the number 77 – so we became friends. Advertisement Most read in Celebrity Exclusive Exclusive Latest "When they went on their first tour, I was their guitar tech: I couldn't tune a guitar to save my life, but I think they wanted someone who was part of the gang." Talking about being asked to be on the cover of their now very famous debut album, Chris recalled: "I was studying sociology at Manchester Metropolitan University when I got a call from Andy Nicholson, the bassist. Arctic Monkeys performs I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor and Arctic Monkeys playing Glastonbury as headliners in 2007 "They were working on their debut album, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not, and wanted pictures of a guy on a night out for the artwork. "There was no suggestion it was for the cover. Andy asked if I'd do it, and I said why not? I'm not sure why me. I never asked. I think they just wanted someone normal." Advertisement He then revealed he was given a "wad of cash" to get drunk and to come back at 2am to take the picture. Talking about becoming famous overnight, after the album was released in 2006, Chris said: "That Monday, my phone never stopped. It was bonkers; like being dipped into fame. Everyone in the world wanted to know who I was." 5 Chris spilled the beans on what it was like to be on the famous cover Credit: Instagram 5 Chris is good pals with Line of Duty star Vicky McClure Credit: Facebook Advertisement STAR PAL Along with the Arctic Monkeys, Chris also has another very famous star pal. He is also friends with Line of Duty star The pair have struck up a close friendship over the years, and she often helps him plug his daytime disco, Day Fever. Vicky features on his Instagram grid in short videos. Advertisement
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Treat dad to food and music festival in Poole
Dad's the way we like it! Why not treat the old man to a late treat for Father's Day – a big weekend out at Upton House Food & Music Festival? He'll love the laid-back mix of tasty treats and classic beats. For three days from Friday 20 to Sunday 22 June, the beautiful surroundings of Upton Country Park are home to a premium programme of top UK tribute acts and the very best local bands and artists, as well as a smorgasbord of amazing food and drink, much of it from local producers. It's the top-notch festival on your doorstep where the eats are as big as the beats! 'Taking the family to festivals like Glastonbury or even the Isle of Wight costs more than a lot of holidays, but Upton House Food & Music Festival has all the flavour of bigger events with none of the stress – it's all the fun of the fare – both gastronomic and musical!' says festival organiser Serena Wren. There can't be many food and music loving dads who wouldn't find the good stuff in Friday's line-up with tributes to Arctic Monkeys and Kasabian following local rocker Chris Payn and his new band. On Saturday, there are rockin' tributes to Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Kings of Leon and U2, with top local act Saints Of Sin, ballsy singer Jordan Watts, cover masters Wonky Donkey and the red hot All Funked Up. Sunday's lineup is topped by Police Academy's acclaimed tribute to The Police supported by banjo-wielding good time merchants Sixteen String Jack, Chris Payn and the Mother Ukers earlier in the day. 'Upton House Food & Music Festival is like having a party in your back garden,' adds Serena. 'People love the easy vibe, the chance to check out some amazing food and have a bit of drink with family and friends!' On the menu are big flavours from around the world including street food superstars Two Lads Kitchen with their famous Afghan street food, the super fresh flavoured chicken wings of Bournemouth-based Wings & Tings, and, for a sweeter tooth, check out Chock Shop's amazing artisan brownies. To drink there's a variety of local craft beers and ciders as well as the distinctive flavours of Shanty, Poole's very own seaside vodka distilled using five types of hand-foraged organic seaweed. And for a non-alcoholic refresh, how about the authentic Taiwanese tastes of Bubble World's bubble tea? First Release tickets start from just £18 for families, £7 for adults and only £3.50 for kids; with full three-day weekend tickets from £50 for families, £20 adults and £9 children. The site opens from 5pm on Friday and 11am on Saturday and Sunday with pre-paid on-site parking available and well-behaved dogs on leads welcome. Full details and ticket booking at
