Why Abbas Sharif Alaskari Left Dubai and What It Taught Him About Art and Reinvention

For over a decade, Abbas Sharif Alaskari was a defining figure in the UAE’s fusion rock scene. As the co-founder and lead guitarist of Desert Echoes, he helped bridge Middle Eastern maqam with Western rock, creating a sound that resonated deeply with diverse audiences. But in 2023, Abbas made the bold decision to leave behind the life he had built in Dubai and return to the UK—a move that would redefine both his music and his identity as an artist.

The Comfort and Challenges of Dubai

Dubai had given Abbas a platform to fully develop his fusion sound. The city’s growing independent music scene and cultural openness allowed him to experiment freely, blending fretless guitar techniques with the power of progressive rock. With three successful albums, a loyal fan base, and countless performances at festivals and major venues, it seemed like the ideal place to stay.

Yet, Abbas felt a growing restlessness. “Dubai was a fantastic place to create, but at some point, I needed to challenge myself in a different way,” he recalls. The scene, while vibrant, had its limitations—there were fewer opportunities to push his sound into mainstream global recognition, and he yearned for a deeper connection with the Western rock audience he had first fallen in love with as a young guitarist in London.

Returning to London: A Musical and Personal Reset

When Abbas arrived back in London, he was met with a very different reality from the one he had left behind years earlier. The music industry had evolved, trends had shifted, and the competition was fierce. But more than that, he found himself in a space where he had to prove himself all over again.

“There was no safety net,” he says. “In Dubai, people knew my work, my reputation. In London, I was starting from scratch, playing in smaller venues, reintroducing my sound to new audiences.”

He began reconnecting with London’s underground music community, performing at intimate jazz clubs, alternative rock venues, and experimental fusion nights. Slowly, his fretless guitar playing and maqam-infused solos started drawing attention. Audiences were intrigued by the blend of Arabic melodies and classic rock energy, something not commonly heard in the UK’s mainstream music scene.

Adapting and Reinventing His Sound

London forced Abbas to evolve—not just as a guitarist but as a composer and performer. He began integrating more electronic elements into his compositions, experimenting with ambient textures and new production techniques. He also collaborated with British and international artists who brought fresh perspectives to his work.

One of the biggest revelations came from revisiting his earliest influences. “Being back in the UK reminded me of why I fell in love with music in the first place,” Abbas explains. He started blending elements of classic British rock—Pink Floyd’s atmospheric soundscapes, Led Zeppelin’s powerful riffs—with the intricate, expressive nature of Middle Eastern music.

Finding a New Audience

Though the transition was challenging, Abbas soon found himself performing at larger festivals and gaining recognition within the UK’s world music and fusion scenes. His performances at the Cambridge Folk Festival and Glastonbury Emerging Talent showcase introduced his sound to an audience eager for something fresh and boundary-pushing.

Teaching at BIMM also became an essential part of his reinvention. Passing on his knowledge of cross-cultural fusion techniques to aspiring musicians helped him refine his own understanding of his craft. “Teaching made me reflect on my own journey—what works, what doesn’t, and why this fusion of sounds is so important,” he says.

Looking Forward: The Next Phase of Abbas’s Career

Now, with his solo album Between Two Worlds in development, Abbas feels he has finally found a balance between his Middle Eastern heritage and his British rock roots. “It took leaving Dubai to truly appreciate what I had built there—and to realize what I still needed to do,” he reflects.

His journey back to London has not just been about relocating—it has been about reinvention, about pushing artistic boundaries and embracing discomfort in pursuit of something greater. And as Abbas continues to carve out his place in the UK music scene, one thing is clear: his best work is yet to come.