Cairo remains one of Africa’s most musically vibrant cities, but accessible spaces where people from different social backgrounds can gather for performances are becoming increasingly scarce. Community events such as the Nile Parade offer rare opportunities for Cairenes to share music, food, and cultural experiences outside of conventional venues. Cultural workers argue that the decline of public gathering spaces is linked to the government’s restructuring of Cairo following the 2011 Arab Spring, with public events increasingly subject to strict regulations. Financial hardship has compounded the problem, making it difficult for musicians to perform without compensation. Foreign funding, once a lifeline for artists, is also declining, forcing a reckoning with self-reliance. Concerts are increasingly concentrated in expensive or exclusive venues, deepening class divisions within the music scene and reducing opportunities for Egyptians from different backgrounds to encounter one another through culture.