Saudi_Culture_Longform

INSIDE THE CULTURE CAPITAL

audi has been cementing itself as an exciting destination for culture seekers over recent years. Annual festivals of unique, celebratory events stretch over months; vibrant street murals and indie exhibitions pop up every other week; and the burgeoning music scene pioneered by traditional musicians and led by passionate contemporary artists is going from strength to strength. Yes, when it comes to cultural adventures, Saudi has it all. You just need to know where to look. From the thrum and buzz of its major hubs to the lesser-known venues and experiences hidden in its cities, here is our cultural guide to Saudi.

Cities of Song

It’s time to add the Saudi cities of Jeddah and Riyadh to your list of iconic must-visit music destinations. These cities form the bedrock of Saudi’s music scene, with institutions dedicated to traditional sounds and instruments existing side-by-side with internationally acclaimed mega-festivals. Music in Jeddah is well established, with venues like The Music Space hosting emerging alternative Saudi musicians as well as renowned artists such as Hamza Hawsawi every night of the week. During the annual culture extravaganza that is Jeddah Season, which typically runs from May to July, you can enjoy spectacular fireworks displays, circus performances, virtual reality experiences, art shows and, of course, excellent live music. This year saw everyone from Egyptian singer Tamer Hosny and Majed Al Mohandes to Japanese guitarist MIYAVI give stand-out performances amid more than 2,500 events taking place over 60 days. Over in Riyadh, as well as the now world-renowned, earth-shatteringly loud MDLBeast Festival in December, you’ll find a growing number of smaller, boutique music events taking place throughout the year. Electro music festival Freaks of Nature is a two-day festival in May with just two stages hosting international DJs and local talent, an art exhibition, a camping experience and an entertainment village with pop-up food and clothes stores. Or for more intimate music experiences, head to the city’s cafes to catch open mic nights. Draft Café hosts traditional singers and percussionists, while Rabbit Hole attracts student types and indie acoustic musicians.

Creative spaces

Like Riyadh’s Syrup Lounge, there are lots of similarly progressive and immersive arts spaces all over Saudi. Places like the Athr Gallery in Jeddah, which, since opening in 2009, has been a key player in the development of the national art scene and crucial supporter of young, up-and-coming artists. Another more recent addition to the landscape in Jeddah is the Hayy Jameel art centre, which opened last year as a dedicated complex for the arts and creativity. As well as multimedia exhibitions, the complex also has a collaborative Project Space for contemporary and traditional artists, designers and creatives. In Riyadh, the L'Art Pur Gallery is one of the largest dedicated art galleries in the Middle East. Originally opened as a foundation to promote arts and culture in Saudi, the versatile venue today supports emerging artists, organises exhibitions, prints publications, and holds community outreach programmes and workshops.

Project Director: Tom Warner Words: George Clode Editor: Laura MacBeth Senior Designer: Loraine Fajutag Images: Visit Saudi, Getty Images, Shutterstock and Alamy

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MDLBeast Festival

Jeddah Season

RIYADH

JEDDAH

Syrup Lounge

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Community-driven events and art space Syrup Lounge is a unique platform for Riyadh’s musicians and artists to share their performances with locals. Established more than 20 years ago, the venue puts a heavy focus on presenting diverse acts in warm, welcoming surroundings. Head here for an evening of cultural immersion and experience the best of the city’s emerging musicians, poets, dancers and performers. Arriving on any given day, you’re as likely to catch local band Night Shift or get involved in a painting workshop as you are to sing some karaoke or enjoy a night of thrash metal. A fun, immersive experience that’s not to be missed.

Discover how Saudi became the cultural powerhouse of the Middle East, and where to catch the best of its artistic offerings on your next visit

Head to Draft Cafe for performances of traditional Saudi music

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TAMTAM

An alternative artist who’s hard to pigeonhole, TAMTAM is racking up some impressive numbers on her streaming and social media profiles and is all set to blow up on the international stage. Born in Riyadh and raised in LA, the artist sees her music as a bridge between the West and the Middle East.

Sounds of Saudi

The music scene in Saudi is built on a staggering array of local talent with growing overseas followings, and massive festivals hosting the world’s greatest international acts. Hover over the images below for a taster of what to expect.

Saüd

Music producer and label founder Saüd is a pioneering talent, whose LA based label Brij Entertainment fosters emerging artists of all genres and promotes high profile collaborations. He’s a Soundstorm festival veteran and recently teamed up with Apple on “Tent Sessions”, a live platform whose aim is to help regional artists find new international fans.

MDL Beast Soundstorm

The 2021 festival hosted the likes of Steve Aoki, Major Lazer Soundsystem, and The Chainsmokers, and this year’s event in December promises to be even more exciting. With eight stages equipped with world-class sound systems and mind-blowing back-to-back sets from EDM’s most celebrated artists, Soundstorm is the crowning jewel in the Saudi festival scene.

Saudi on screen

Its awe-inspiring desert landscapes are quickly becoming highly sought-after filming locations for big budget Hollywood films, most recently the Russo brothers’ crime drama Cherry. But Saudi has a cinema reputation that stretches beyond its shoot potential. There are some Saudi films that have become instant cult classics and act as the perfect introductions to Saudi cinema. The dystopian black and white dreamscape of Scales is a good place to start. Or if comedy is more up your street, try the class boundary-crossing Barakah Meets Barakah. The Book of Sun is a warm exploration of life as a Saudi creative, while The Perfect Candidate is a satirical snapshot of Saudi’s local politics. On top of the documentaries, shorts and feature length films the industry produces, each year there are notable events such as the Red Sea Film Festival and Saudi Film Festival, all contributing to the thriving cinema scene. Watch out for on-the-horizon productions that have recently wrapped or are currently filming in Saudi, including Kandahar starring Gerard Butler and filmed in AlUla (image in background), and big budget feature film Desert Warrior, starring Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Sharlto Copley and Ben Kingsley, filmed in Neom.

Japanese guitarist Miyavi brought the house down at this year’s Jeddah Season

Expect sensational live performances at the annual Jeddah Season festival

Ghaida Al Ghanim

Self-taught artist Al Ghanim’s work is bold and colourful and focuses heavily on the human eye. She draws influence from Picasso and Dali, and adds elements of Saudi heritage to every piece of work she creates.

Manal Al Dowayan

With a body of work encompassing black and white photography, sculpture, sound and neon, Manal Al Dowayan is a diverse talent whose pieces hold a microscope up to Saudi culture and society. Her art has been displayed in major galleries all over the world, most recently as part of the Desert to Delta exhibition at the Art Museum of University of Memphis.

Dana Awartani

Awartani aims to revive historical modes of making through crafts and artisanal practices, using mixed media from performances, manuscript illumination and parquetry, to ceramics, and embroidery. Her work features in the collections of the Sheikh Zayed National Museum, The British Museum and The Guggenheim Museum, among others.

Art pioneers

At the centre of this thriving art scene are the innovative artists themselves, many of whom have contributed hugely to Saudi arts and culture. Hover over the images below to discover three must-know creatives :

This stunning mural is the work of female street artist, Noura Bint Saidan, who’s been using he colourful pieces to brighten the streets of Riyadh since 2010.

Flower Mural, Riyadh

Mustafa Senbel’s iconic sculpture on Al-Tahliah Street was inspired by the minaret of the 9th-century Great Mosque of Samarra in Iraq. It is made from the same type of pipes used in Jeddah’s water mains.

Tahliah Fountain, Jeddah

One of the most famous landmarks in Jeddah, this giant bicycle stands at 15 metres high and is the work of Spanish artist Julio Lafuente, who created it in the early eighties from scrap metal.

The Bicycle, Jeddah

Street art and structures

Around every corner in Saudi you’ll find huge sculptures, striking murals and architecture that plays with perspective. Here are just some of the dramatic, large scale public artworks you can take in during your Saudi strolls.

L'Art Pur Gallery

Athr Gallery

RIYADH

JEDDAH

Hayy Jameel art centre

The Music Space

Freaks of Nature Festival

Historic AlUla was one of a number of famous international sites used to celebrate the launch of Stranger Things season four

Upcoming blockbuster Desert Warrior was filmed in the amazing landscapes of Neom

The landscapes of AlUla were a key filming location for Kandahar starring Gerard Butler

ALULA

JEDDAH

NEOM

Red Sea Film Festival

Saudi Film Festival

ITHRA

photographer & MAKE UP: RYAN @rcrums

@nourabinsaidan

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Jonathan Nelson / Alamy Stock Photo

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Tuul and Bruno Morandi / Alamy Stock Photo

Building designed by waiwai. Courtesy of Art Jameel. Photography by Mohammed Alaskandrani, Mohamed Fawzy AND Laurian Ghinitoiu

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Courtesy of Art Jameel. Photography by Mohammed Alaskandrani

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This stunning mural is the work of female street artist, Noura Bint Saidan, who’s been using her colourful pieces to brighten the streets of Riyadh since 2010.

Flower Mural, Riyadh

Tahliah Fountain, Jeddah

Street art and structures

@nourabinsaidan

Tuul and Bruno Morandi / Alamy Stock Photo

giuseppe masci / Alamy Stock Photo

This well-known piece from Julio Lafuente, consists of five cars which appear to have crashed into an enormous block of reinforced concrete.

Accident! (Crazy Speed)

This staggering 5,000-square-metre cube is covered in 9,740 mirrored panels which reflect its surrounding desert-scapes like a mind-bending mirage. A staggering work of art in and of itself, Maraya is also a respected arts and music venue hosting concerts, live performances and arthouse film screenings.

Maraya, AlUla

This well-known piece from Julio Lafuente, consists of five cars which appear to have crashed into an enormous block of reinforced concrete.

giuseppe masci / Alamy Stock Photo

Accident! (Crazy Speed)

This staggering 5,000-square-metre cube is covered in 9,740 mirrored panels which reflect its surrounding desert-scapes like a mind-bending mirage. Maraya is also a respected arts and music venue hosting myriad live performances.

Maraya, AlUla

From its diverse terrain to its thriving art and music scene, Insta-worthy food and natural wonders to travel for, Saudi is ready and waiting for you to discover. For more incredible, off-the-beaten track ideas for sites to see, experiences to try, and places to stay, check out Visit Saudi

Project Director: Tom Warner Commissioning Editor: George Clode Editor: Laura MacBeth Senior Designer: Loraine Fajutag Images: Visit Saudi, Getty Images, Shutterstock and Alamy

Produced by Independent Ignite

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