Must-see concerts in Saudi Arabia: From Backstreet Boys to Wu-Tang Clan
Whether you’re a K-popper or a teenybopper, here are the best concerts in Riyadh, Jeddah and AlUla this year.
Live entertainment is on the rise in Saudi Arabia, with international and local artists taking to stages across the Kingdom. If you love live music, these are the all-important dates for your diaries. Curtain up – here are the best concerts in Saudi Arabia.
Bebe Rexha: 18 January 2024
Bebe Rexha follows up her performance at the FIFA Club Cup Closing Ceremony with a headline show at MDLBeast Balad Beast in Jeddah. The American singer and songwriter has been dominating the charts with her soulful voice and empowering anthems. From I’m a Mess to Meant to Be, Bebe Rexha has proven she’s a force to be reckoned with in the music scene.
GO: Visit https://mdlbeast.com for more information.
DJ Snake: 18 January 2024
DJ Snake is a prominent French DJ and record producer who first gained widespread recognition with his 2013 single Turn Down for What featuring Lil Jon. Known for his eclectic style that blends various genres, including electronic, hip-hop, and pop, DJ Snake has collaborated with renowned artists like Justin Bieber on Let Me Love You and Cardi B and Selena Gomez on Taki Taki. Beyond his chart success, DJ Snake is celebrated for his electrifying live performances at major festivals and as a trailblazer in the electronic dance music industry. He will perform at MDLBeast Balad Beast in Jeddah.
GO: Visit https://mdlbeast.com for more information.
Major Lazer: 18 January 2024
Founded by American DJ and producer Diplo, Major Lazer pulsates with the soul of Jamaican dancehall and reggae, infused with the electrifying energy of EDM. This potent musical cocktail has made them global superstars, igniting stages worldwide and collaborating with diverse artists across the musical spectrum. The trio’s music is a captivating blend of pulsating basslines, catchy melodies, and infectious Jamaican rhythms. Tracks like Cold Water with Justin Bieber and Lean On featuring MØ and DJ Snake became global smash hits. They’ve collaborated with various artists, from Ariana Grande and Busy Signal to Nicki Minaj and Sean Paul and will perform in Jeddah at MDLBeast Balad Beast.
GO: Visit https://mdlbeast.com for more information.
Russ: 18 January 2024
Russ – real name Russell James Vitale – hails from Atlanta, Georgia, and is no stranger to Saudi Arabia. Russ previously performed at Riyadh Season and Rage On The Red Sea. He is now bringing his energetic show to MDLBeast Balad Beast in Jeddah. Fans can expect the rapper to perform his hits including Are You Entertained, Losing Control and What They Want in Al-Balad’s UNESCO World Heritage site.
GO: Visit https://mdlbeast.com for more information.
Ty Dolla $ign: 18 January 2024
Ty Dolla $ign has been making headlines in recent weeks as we await Vultures, his joint project with Kanye West that is expected to drop any day now. With his smooth vocals, infectious melodies, and genre-bending collaborations, the songwriter and producer has crafted hits for some of the biggest names in the industry, including Rihanna and Wiz Khalifa, while dropping hit singles such as By Yourself with Jhene Aiko, Hot Girl Summer, a collaboration with Megan Thee Stallion and Nicki Minaj, and Motion, a duet Chris Brown. The performance at MDLBeast Balad could coincide with the album’s release, or we may even see a surprise appearance from Kanye West.
GO: Visit https://mdlbeast.com for more information.
Wu-Tang Clan: 18 January 2024
Emerging from Staten Island in the early 90s, the Wu-Tang Clan went from a hip-hop group to a cultural phenomenon. With nine distinct voices echoing the struggles and triumphs of their community, they revolutionised the genre with their 1993 debut, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). Combining the cinematic beats of RZA with the smooth flow of GZA to the gritty lyricism of ODB on tracks such as C.R.E.A.M. and Protect Ya Neck. Wu-Tang Clan’s influence stretched far beyond music and their dark aesthetic and kung fu references permeated pop culture, inspiring fashion designers, filmmakers, and even video games. The band will perform at MDLBeast Balad Beast in Jeddah.
GO: Visit https://mdlbeast.com for more information.
Andrea Bocelli: 26 January 2024
On Friday, 26 January, the world’s most beloved Tenor will take to the stage at Maraya Concert Hall in AlUla. The record-breaking artist has performed at countless openings, including the Olympic Games and the European Football Championships, throughout his three-decade-spanning musical career. Andrea Bocelli has sold over 75 million records worldwide and collaborated with famous faces including Celine Dion, Christina Aguilera and Ed Sheeran. We’re hoping he performs some of his biggest hits including Because We Believe, Canto Della Terra and Time to Say Goodbye.
GO: Visit www.experiencealula.com for more information.
Alesso: 26 January 2024
Alessandro Renato Rodolfo Lindblad, better known by his stage name Alesso, is a melodic master who sculpts dancefloor anthems. Tracks like Heroes with Tove Lo soar with anthemic vocals and soaring melodies, while collaborations like Years with Matthew Koma evoke bittersweet nostalgia. However, Alesso’s rave-inspired tunes, like Clash and Tear the Roof Up,” really get audiences grooving. The Swedish DJ will perform in the capital as part of the Diriyah E-Prix concert series.
GO: Visit https://webook.com for tickets and more information.
Nancy Ajram: 26 January 2024
Nancy Ajram is more than just a singer; she’s a cultural force who has redefined Arabic pop music for the 21st century. Dubbed the “Queen of Arab Pop” by Spotify, she boasts a string of chart-topping hits, and a dedicated fanbase that stretches across the globe. From the empowering anthem Badna Nwallea El Jaw to the playful charm of Ya Salam, her songs tackle love, heartbreak and social issues. Her performance at the Diriyah E-Prix will show exactly why she continues to captivate audiences and redefine what it means to be an Arab pop star.
GO: Visit https://webook.com for tickets and more information.
OneRepublic: 26 January 2024
Are you a fan of the songs Apologise, Counting Stars and Love Runs Out? Well, you’ll in luck as the American rock band behind the hits, OneRepublic, are coming to Riyadh. The concert takes place in Riyadh as part of the Diriyah E-Prix concert series. After forming in 2002, OneRepublic became famous for their alternative rock meets pop music sound. Over their career, they have sold more than 16 million records worldwide. The songs include Rescue Me, Stop and Stare and Wanted. Lead singer Ryan is a successful songwriter, as he has penned lyrics for musical greats, including Adele, Lady Gaga, Paul McCartney and Taylor Swift.
GO: Visit https://webook.com for tickets and more information.
Afrojack: 27 January 2024
Afrojack (real name Nick Leonardus van de Wall) hails from Holland. He went from learning graphic design to playing in local clubs. Today, he is one of the highest-earning DJs in the world. Over his career, he has collaborated with artists including David Guetta, Nicki Minaj and Missy Elliott. This won’t be the first time you can catch Afrojack in Saudi Arabia, as he previously performed at MDLBeast Soundstorm and the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2023. Popular in the Kingdom, he is loved for his high-energy shows, spinning hit after hit. We hope he plays his famous numbers including Ten Feet Tall, Turn up the Speaker and Unstoppable.
GO: Visit https://webook.com for tickets and more information.
Backstreet Boys: 27 January 2024
Backstreet’s back. One of the biggest-selling boybands of all time is returning to the Kingdom. Nineties kids will be buzzing with excitement, as this is your chance to see Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, AJ McLean, Brian Littrell and Kevin Richardson when they perform at the Diriyah E-Prix concert series. We expect them to play their greatest hits including As Long As You Love Me, Everybody (Backstreet’s Back), Quit Playing Games (With My Heart), and We’ve Got It Goin’ On. Plus, the classic I Want It That Way has been streamed more than one billion times on Spotify.
GO: Visit https://webook.com for tickets and more information.
Cairokee: 27 January 2024
Audiences will also be able to witness the Egyptian rock band Cairokee live on stage at the Diriyah E-Prix concert series. The band is known for its revolutionary musical repertoire, including songs like El Seka Shemal Fe Shemal, Layla and Samurai. Formed in 2003, they began their journey playing English covers before finding their potent blend of rock, pop, and Egyptian influences. The band’s rise to prominence coincided with the Egyptian Revolution of 2011. Their anthemic protest song Ya El Midan, a tribute to Tahrir Square, became a rallying cry for the millions who took to the streets.
GO: Visit https://webook.com for tickets and more information.
James Blunt: 9 February 2024
British singer James Blunt is making his way to the Kingdom, and will perform at the mirrored Maraya Concert Hall in AlUla on Friday, 9 February. For the unversed, Blunt burst onto the music scene in 2004 with the soul-stirring ballad You’re Beautiful and quickly became a global sensation. The singer’s unique sound, coupled with poignant lyrics, struck a chord with audiences worldwide. His discography, spanning genres from pop to folk, showcases a versatile talent, with albums like All the Lost Souls and Moon Landing and singles Goodbye My Lover and Wisemen receiving critical acclaim.
GO: Visit www.experiencealula.com for more information.
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