No Rock And Roll Fun

ARAB AWARDS LAUNCHED, HITCHED: The first ever Arabian Music Awards didn't pass off quite as smoothly as hoped on Sunday, when the Dubai Festival got hit by a range of problems - the show started two hours late, the hosts' microphones didn't work, causing an abandonment after eight minutes; and they lost the winner's trophies. Oh, and they ran so far behind schedule they had to axe the two biggest prizes. The event was also underminded a little by many Arabian music stars staying away, and they've not yet got round to updating the website. But at least they didn't have Mick Fleetwood presenting, and that's got to count in their favour.

Carole Samaha won won of the awards that dfid get presented - she was best female newcomer:



Egyptian rap act MTM won best modern Arabic act. Then Sarah Brightman came on to sing a song, which is probably why somebody broke the microphones. We're not sure why she was chosen - perhaps to remind the audience that Western music might not be all its cracked up to be, either.