Premium British fashion house AllSaints today announced a major launchpad for local musicians and bands with the arrival of AllSaints ME Sessions – a platform for promising up-and-coming bands to capture new fans and earn free studio time with a Dubai-based producer. For a chance to be shortlisted, artists are encouraged to upload videos of their music to the dedicated AllSaints microsite during the submission period of 16 February to 7 March. The line-up will be announced on 12 March, with public voting commencing soon after.

For three consecutive Fridays from 20 March to 3 April, AllSaints – a brand that has carved out an identity for high-end indie-inspired lines – will then host live in-store performances from different shortlisted bands to drive public voting and decide the winner of AllSaints ME Sessions 2020 on 5 April. The fashion house’s Mall of the Emirates store will transform into a sparse, dimly lit gig venue for each weeks’ performance.

AllSaints has a long-held connection with the music industry since arriving in 1994, with the original music concept launched in Los Angeles through the AllSaints LA Sessions. The brand has in the past collaborated with Kings of Leon, Dum Dum Girls, and Blonde Redhead, while its LA Sessions has featured performances from established bands including OneRepublic, Imagine Dragons, and Echosmith. For this year’s competition, AllSaints is proud to announce its partnership with Anghami and Dubai 92.

Fahed Ghanim acting Chief Executive Officer at Majid Al Futtaim Fashion said: “We are delighted to bring a compelling demonstration of music and culture to Mall of the Emirates’ guests through the AllSaints ME Sessions. This will be an unmissable opportunity for emerging artists to express themselves and get noticed, and a place for the community to support their favourite act or discover something new. We’re proud to host a platform such as this that helps locally based talent to flourish.”

The arrival of ME Sessions also sees AllSaints form a deeper connection with an audience that already looks to the brand for grungy looks with a designer tag.

How bands can apply and voting

Submissions to be a part of AllSaints ME Sessions are open from 16 February until 7 March, and interested artists are encouraged to visit the microsite to apply.

Once tracks are uploaded, AllSaints will select the artists to be shortlisted, who will go through to the live performances starting 20 March. At the close of the live performances, the public will then vote via the microsite for the band or musician to be crowned winner of AllSaints ME Sessions 2020 on 5 April.

Not only will the winner secure invaluable exposure among the UAE’s music and culture community, they’ll work alongside a producer to record, produce and mix one song in-studio, and gain radio exposure as their air clips will be played on Dubai 92 and added to Anghami’s library. The winner will also land an AllSaints wardrobe worth AED 5,000 to look the part.