WATCH: Saxophonist turns chaos into harmony as missiles fly over the Israeli border
Saxophonist Alain Otayek performed amidst missile strikes in Lebanon, capturing a moment of unexpected resilience and the therapeutic power of music during chaos.
Image: Alain Otayek Facebook
As missiles rained down on Israel from Iran, saxophonist Alain Otayek chose an unexpected response at an undisclosed rooftop venue in Lebanon: he raised his instrument instead of fleeing the chaotic sounds.
A video capturing this moment has gone viral on social media.
With missiles soaring through the sky, Otayek was seen performing his smooth saxophone melodies against the backdrop of a vibrant rooftop party.
In an interview shared on TikTok, Otayek described the instant he noticed the change in atmosphere - how even the festive party vibe shifted as attendees pulled out their phones to capture the extraordinary and terrifying sight above.
“Suddenly, I felt the vibration change as if people were suddenly on edge,” he recounted. “I looked up and saw the missiles - I thought they were aliens coming after us or something.”
Yet, despite the fear, Otayek felt compelled to respond with his music.
“I definitely knew that they were missiles. I mean, we spent our whole lives with missiles in Lebanon. At this point, I felt that I must share what’s inside me,” he added, reminiscing about the therapeutic power of music.
“A saxophone is a very sensitive instrument, so you can bring out everything you feel inside. I just kept playing, giving out this feeling of peace.”
Reactions on social media have varied widely, showcasing a mixture of awe and dark humour stemming from the incident.
Comments ranged from comparisons to the band that played as the Titanic sank, to reflections on whether Otayek should update his résumé to include “dodging missiles.”
“Music never dies - especially when it comes to soundtracking the end of the world,” read one comment.
However, the context surrounding Otayek’s performance is steeped in real geopolitical tensions.
On Tuesday, June 24, both Israel and Iran accepted a ceasefire plan proposed by former President Donald Trump after a tumultuous series of events unfolded over the preceding days.
Tensions flared dramatically on June 13, when Israel launched an unexpected offensive against Iranian sites, claiming it was acting on intelligence regarding Iran's nuclear ambitions.
In retaliation, Iran's missile attacks intensified, culminating in strikes aimed at Israeli territories.
Just hours before the ceasefire, the situation turned deadly, with recent reports indicating that four lives were lost as sirens echoed through northern Israel amidst ongoing explosions.