bahrainthismonth.com | JUNE 2025 ENTERTAINMENT HUB 57 Masked Melodies This mysterious Bahraini oud player lets his music do the talking – performing masked, he invites audiences into a space where sound takes the lead and identity fades away. Yad (@yad.oud) might perform with his face hidden, but his music lays everything bare. The anonymous Bahraini oud player has carved a niche where emotion takes precedence over image, and the oud becomes a vessel for storytelling. Sound Without A Face “The mask isn’t about hiding,” he explains. “It’s a way to shift focus – away from me and towards the music. The feeling. The journey.” For Yad, that journey is often surreal and untethered, taking him and his listeners to places that feel otherworldly. The Power of Disappearance The decision to wear a mask came from a desire to remove the noise that often surrounds performance. “It strips away expectations, appearances, ego. I don’t want to be seen – I want people to feel,” he says. “There’s a certain mystery in that, but it also creates space for the audience to bring their own emotions into the moment.” A Dream in Japan That same intention travelled with him to Japan, where he recently performed at the Bahrain Pavilion during Expo Osaka. “Japan has always felt dreamlike to me,” he recalls. “To be there, representing Bahrain on a global platform, was overwhelming in the best way. The atmosphere, the silence, the in-between – it all stays with you.” He didn’t dive into traditional Japanese music while there, but the experience has planted a seed. “It’s something I’d love to explore more deeply,” he says. “But even without that, the influence is already seeping into my work.” Tradition Reimagined At the centre of it all is the oud – an instrument steeped in tradition but, in his hands, alive with possibility. “The oud is timeless. It holds the spirit of Bahraini heritage but it can also adapt and evolve. I don’t try to control the fusion, I let it happen naturally.” The Silence That Spoke One memory from Japan lingers: “I was midperformance, masked, and a small crowd gathered. No clapping, no phones – just quiet. That silence said more than words ever could. “Recognition isn’t the goal. Feeling is. If someone walks away with a sense of peace, nostalgia, even sadness, then that means everything. The mask isn’t about me. It’s about removing myself so the music can reach them more clearly.” Photo credit: @lisaellenknight
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