Mashrou’ Leila: ‘all of us are extremely vocal feminists’

They’re a pop band from Beirut with an eclectic sound, an openly gay lead singer and politically charged lyrics. Mashrou’ Leila are tearing up the conventions of Arabic pop culture and singing about issues few other musicians in the Middle East are willing to tackle including social justice, personal freedoms and women’s rights.

We caught up with them ahead of their gig at London’s Somerset House this weekend.