The seven-time Grammy winner will headline a candlelit concert at the UNESCO-listed Hegra.
The cooler season in AlUla is made for nights under the stars, and the Hegra Candlelit Classics series returns with a standout bill. On Friday, 21 November, Jon Batiste takes to the stage at Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, for an intimate performance surrounded by hundreds of flickering lights. The Nabataean tombs will provide a dramatic backdrop to Batiste’s genre-bending sound that moves with ease between jazz, soul, funk and classical influences.
At Jon Batiste live in AlUla, fans can expect music from his latest project, Big Money, which he introduced to audiences this summer, along with selections that showcase his improvisational flair. Earlier in the year, he delivered a widely praised rendition of the United States national anthem at Super Bowl LIX, underscoring the momentum behind his live shows.
The candlelit series is a two-night affair. On Thursday, 20 November, legendary Japanese composer and pianist YOSHIKI appears with Grammy-nominated trumpet virtuoso Ibrahim Maalouf. The pair will perform solo and together, promising a cross-cultural set.
On 21 November, Batiste will be joined by rising Lebanese singer Marilyne Naaman, whose soulful vocals add a regional note to the evening. The concert runs from 6:30pm to 11:30pm, with tickets to see Jon Batiste live in AlUla available in two tiers: Gold at SAR 600 and VIP at SAR 900.
Hegra’s setting is part of the allure. Carved from sandstone and dating back to the first century, the archaeological site south of Petra is a remarkable window into the Nabataean civilisation, and live music within this landscape adds an extra layer of theatre to the experience.
If you only have time to do one thing in AlUla this season, visit Hegra.
GO: Visit www.experiencealula.com for more information.