Latest news with #YYY
San Francisco Chronicle
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Yeah Yeah Yeahs ditch the chaos for a quiet, powerful night in San Francisco
Longtime fans of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs are accustomed to seeing Karen O thrash across the stage and spray beer into the air. The frontwoman's statuesque presence and glam fashion solidified her rep as one of most enigmatic performers of this millennium. Yet on Monday, July 14, for the first of two back-to-back San Francisco concerts at Davies Symphony Hall, a centerstage stool for O hinted at what was to come: 90 minutes of lead singer O, guitarist Nick Zinner and drummer Brian Chase purposefully shaving off serrated edges and slowing down tempos, revealing the beauty at each song's core. 'We've been working on this very different Yeah Yeah Yeahs show. It's very vulnerable,' O explained, early on. 'Nothing's more 'punk rock' than being vulnerable.' After 25 years of creating catharsis from chaos, the New York art-punk trio was reimagining their catalog with fresh arrangements and textures. The intent was to counter the outside world's current doom spiral with an expression of clarity and community through their music. To meet the moment, they were joined by guitarist and longtime collaborator Imaad Wasif, a string quartet and a conductor who doubled as stand up bassist. The setting was the tony home of the San Francisco Symphony, part of the band's 18-date Hidden in Piece tour, designed for smaller — and in the case of Davies, more ornate — acoustically pure theaters. Shannon Shaw of Oakland indie faves Shannon and the Clams opened the evening with a set of torchy roots-rock that bridged vintage Americana, Motown pop and DIY punk. Shaw was joined by fiddler Sivan Lioncub and keyboardist Joel Robinow, all sounding great in the classy environment (Shaw's click-clack footsteps were audible in the upper tier). As for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, 'Cheated Hearts' and ' Skeletons ' benefited the most from this reconfiguration, the string section sawing away with verve, and drummer Brian Chase using timpani mallets to build 'Skeletons' to a triumphant close. 'Y Control' and 'Gold Lion' were similarly reconstructed but retained their lean sinew, while 'Despair' was a rousing halftime speech to elevate the masses. 'We're all on the edge, there's nothing to fear inside,' sang O. 'Through the darkness and the light, some sun has got to shine.' Still, there were moments of dissonance. Casual fans expecting to hear Zinner's epic guitar breakdown on the band's biggest hit, 2003's 'Maps,' had to settle for an unplugged take that whispered with gentle intimacy. This more subdued version begs to be used during opening credits on 'The Bear.' A cover of Björk's 'Hyper-Ballad' — a song Zinner and O noodled with when the band first formed in 2000 — was cooked down to its acoustic guitar-vocal essence. For YYY stans this might have been epic, but for YYY fans who know and/or revere Björk's original, the contrast was too much to process. Dressed in a red Christian Joy jumpsuit, Karen O was typically commanding, mostly ignoring the stool. During 'Spitting Off the Edge of the World,' she jumped up and down and two-stepped like an excited auntie at a wedding reception. Occasionally she brought out her old tricks, whipping the mic cord while posing and preening. But despite her approval of the audience standing up and dancing in their rows, many chose to enjoy the show seated. With early YYY fans who roughed it in the pit now reaching their 40s and 50s, this was an understandable compromise. As extra treats for its day-ones, the group dusted off a couple rarities: 'Our Time' from the band's self-titled 2001 EP, and a resplendent 'Warrior,' which was introduced with a bit of 'Isis.' A great Yeah Yeah Yeahs song has the power to propel you to the top of the world. These new versions make you feel like you're floating in an alternate universe, a zoom-out that allows for even deeper examination and introspection. Blacktop Our Time Gold Lion Hyper-Ballad (Bjork cover) Cheated Hearts Isis/Warrior Despair Skeletons Spitting Off the Edge of the World Maps Turn Into Y Control Zero Todd Inoue is a freelance writer.
Arabian Post
30-06-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
Gaming Behind the Firewall: Online Casino Trends in Censored Arab Markets
In countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, where internet censorship is intense and gambling is illegal, a quiet but thriving iGaming scene persists—powered by clever tech, savvy users, and platforms optimized for these challenging conditions. 1. Internet Censorship in Arab Markets CountryBlocked ContentEnforcementSaudi ArabiaGambling, pornography, political dissentDNS-level blocking by national regulatorsUAEGambling, VoIP apps, adult content, datingFiltered via local ISPs under government supervision 2. VPNs & Proxies: The Gateways to iGaming To bypass these digital walls, players rely on tools like VPNs and proxy servers that encrypt traffic and mask IP addresses. ADVERTISEMENT VPN popularity: In some Gulf countries, VPN usage exceeds 30% of the population. In some Gulf countries, VPN usage exceeds 30% of the population. Top providers: Services like NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN offer speed and stealth modes to bypass censorship. Services like NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN offer speed and stealth modes to bypass censorship. Legal risk: While VPNs aren't outright banned, using them for illegal activities (like gambling) can bring penalties, especially in the UAE. 3. How Players Access iGaming Here's how Arab users continue to access online casinos despite legal and technical barriers: VPNs with obfuscation: Allow encrypted connections that evade deep packet inspection. Offshore casinos: Platforms based in regions like Curaçao or Malta, often tailored for Arabic users. Anonymous payments: Use of cryptocurrencies, e-wallets, and prepaid vouchers to avoid traceable bank transactions. Mobile-first platforms: Over 70% of users access these casinos via smartphones, so lightweight UX is key. 4. Platform Adaptations: YYY Casino as a Case Study YYY Casino is a leading example of a platform designed for players behind the firewall: Lightweight design : Optimized for fast loading even on restricted networks or mobile data. : Optimized for fast loading even on restricted networks or mobile data. Arabic interface : Offers full Arabic language support and culturally aware UI. : Offers full Arabic language support and culturally aware UI. Crypto-ready: Accepts Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies for anonymous, fast transactions. 5. Why This Trend Matters The continued growth of iGaming in censored Arab markets reveals three important trends: High demand : Despite legal restrictions, player numbers are rising year-on-year. : Despite legal restrictions, player numbers are rising year-on-year. Tech adaptation : Gamers use advanced tools to bypass restrictions and maintain access. : Gamers use advanced tools to bypass restrictions and maintain access. Platform evolution: Casinos like YYY adapt to low-bandwidth environments and offer mobile-first solutions. Key Trends at a Glance VPN adoption: Up to 39% in some Gulf states Up to 39% in some Gulf states Mobile dominance: 70%+ of users access via smartphones 70%+ of users access via smartphones Crypto & e-wallets: Key to private, fast payments Key to private, fast payments Platform features: Arabic UI, fast load, and VPN compatibility Final Thoughts 'Gaming Behind the Firewall' isn't just a metaphor—it reflects the daily reality of thousands of Arab players who bypass censorship using VPNs, cryptocurrencies, and mobile tech. Platforms like YYY Casino are positioning themselves as trusted gateways by adapting to this underground demand. And with the region's iGaming appetite only growing, these behind-the-scenes strategies are redefining what online gambling looks like in the Middle East. Also published on Medium. Notice an issue? Arabian Post strives to deliver the most accurate and reliable information to its readers. If you believe you have identified an error or inconsistency in this article, please don't hesitate to contact our editorial team at editor[at]thearabianpost[dot]com. We are committed to promptly addressing any concerns and ensuring the highest level of journalistic integrity.
