American band 3 Doors Down might not be the first name that springs to mind when thinking about a jazz festival...
But the ‘Kryptonite’ rockers will certainly set a high standard when it comes to the live experience for Dubai music fans.
One of the 20-plus acts who are set to entertain the crowds at the Emirates Airline Dubai Jazz Festival over nine days at Festival City, Brad Arnold and the boys are proud of their reputation as one of the best live acts out there.
They may have five studio albums and a greatest hits compilation to their names since 2000, but the Mississippi rockers still see recording sessions in the studio as a way to get back out on the road.
Music fans worried about the notion of bands playing festivals just for a big pay cheque can rest assured, 3 Doors Down put everything into their live shows.
Brad told fox17online.com: “We love to record and see these new songs and ideas come to light, but the really enjoyable thing for us is to go out and play live. You see the people in the crowd, they might not know the brand new songs so well at first but then after a few months on the road you see them singing along.
“That’s very rewarding for us. It seems like some bands go on tour because they’ve made a record but for us its almost a case of making a record just so we can go out on tour!”
They’ve shared the stage with enduring rock icons such as ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynrd, so the boys have seen some of the best live bands up close and personal.
Guitarist Chris Henderson explains exactly why he loves playing live so much as opposed to recording - it’s a group thing.
“I love touring, it really is one of my favourite things to do,” he says. “When you record an album, the boys might have to go off and record their parts separately, but to me a new record doesn’t seem right unless we are all out on the road.
“It don’t seem like I’m at work if I’m not on the road!”
While 3 Doors Down love entertaining, the boys from small-town Escatawpa also have some big ideas when it comes to charity. They started the ‘Better Life Foundation’ back in 2003, an initiative that has gone from strength to strength, especially in helping children in the Mississippi region during Hurricane Katrina.
Brad says: “The Better Life Foundation started out to help local children’s charities - predominantly on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. It’s going good and every year it seems to get a little bigger and better.
“And man, I’m really proud of it. There’s people who work a lot harder on it than I do. I’m just proud to be a part of it. That’s the brightest part of this band’s career. I love that thing. It’s been a blessing. It has been a blessing to us all.”
The Emirates Airline Dubai Jazz Festival kicks off on Thursday night, with ‘One Republic’ headlining the Emirates main stage and 3 Doors Down headlining on Friday. Check www.dubaijazzfest.com for information on the schedule and tickets.
