Riyadh Music Week launches Thursday, expanding its footprint beyond major concert venues with a new “Fringe” program designed too spotlight the Kingdom’s burgeoning music scene. The ten-day festival, running through December 13, will transform spaces across the Saudi capital – from the JAX district to the Diplomatic Quarter – into hubs for live performances and emerging artists. This year’s event features collaborations with prominent Saudi music platforms like URX, MDLBEAST Records, and The Fridge, offering a diverse range of experiences for music lovers of all ages.
Riyadh’s music scene is set to explode with a diverse range of performances as the Riyadh Music Week kicks off Thursday and runs through December 13. The festival is expanding beyond its main venues with a “Fringe” program, bringing live music to smaller theaters and public spaces across the Saudi capital.
The “Fringe” series is designed to showcase emerging talent and transform intimate venues throughout Riyadh into vibrant hubs for live performances. Organizers aim to connect audiences with the city’s young musical communities and leverage the momentum of Riyadh Music Week to foster greater collaboration between artists and fans.
From the “JAX” district in Diriyah to the Riyadh Sports Track and the Diplomatic Quarter, the program features a number of independent music platforms and collectives in Saudi Arabia, including URX (Underrated X), MDLBEAST Records, The Fridge, Bohemia Records, Mirwas, and The Warehouse. Each partner will curate unique evenings reflecting their individual style and identity, complementing the festival’s main lineup.
“Rhythm of Riyadh”
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URX will present “Rhythm of Riyadh” on December 10 at the outdoor area of SALT restaurant in Riyadh Park, blending house and electronic music. The event aims to support up-and-coming artists and DJs who haven’t had extensive opportunities, and connect Saudi Arabia’s creative energy with the global music scene.
The session runs from 7 p.m. to midnight, with a capacity of around 300 attendees. The event is open to all, including families, and offers public parking.
Meanwhile, The Fridge is hosting three events during Riyadh Music Week, starting with “Open Mic Night – sponsored by Sennheiser” on December 7 at Personage C11 warehouse in the JAX district.
The evening is divided into “Little Legends,” a segment for young talents aged 7 to 14, followed by the main open mic session for participants 15 and older.
Doors open at 6 p.m., with the children’s segment from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., and the main open mic session from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Professional musical equipment will be provided, and admission is free with pre-registration through The Fridge’s website.
“The Fridge Presents”
On December 8, The Fridge presents three rising Saudi artists – Sharqia, Zein Fayez, and Turki Al Abdullah – at Personage warehouse.
Doors open at 7 p.m., with performances from 8 to 10 p.m. The lineup showcases a diverse range of musical styles, from Sharqia’s blend of pop, soul, Afrobeats, and storytelling through hip-hop, to Zein Fayez, and the modern pop and alternative sounds inspired by Saudi musical heritage of Turki Al Abdullah.
Admission is free with pre-registration due to limited capacity.
“Concert Series”
December 9 will see the launch of The Fridge’s renowned “Concert Series” in Saudi Arabia for the first time at Personage C11 warehouse. Artist “Tam Tam” will headline, with an opening performance by “Khaleeji Blond,” in a night focused on pop, trap, and Arabic R&B.
Doors open at 8 p.m., with the show starting at 9 p.m. Tickets are limited and available for purchase online.
Bohemia Records will also participate with “Wax Head – A Bohemia Records Takeover” at The Warehouse (J08) in the JAX cultural district of Diriyah, over two nights on December 9 and 10, from 6 p.m. to midnight.
The event celebrates vinyl culture, music discovery, and alternative sounds from the region, featuring live DJ sets, band performances, and interactive listening stations. A “Beans & Beats” experience, combining coffee and music, will run from 7 to 9 p.m., followed by performances until midnight.
Admission is free with pre-registration and confirmation online, with a capacity of around 60 guests for the “Beans & Beats” experience and up to 250 for the evening performances.
“Al Lamma” and “Jalsat”
The Warehouse in the JAX district will host “Al Lamma” and “Jalsat” on December 7 and 8. “Al Lamma” takes place on December 7 from 9 p.m. to midnight, offering an interactive evening where attendees can share performances of classic Arabic music.
“Jalsat” on December 8 presents a winter evening with an Arabic and Khaleeji vibe celebrating the spirit of *tarab* (musical enchantment), featuring a different artist each time, with a capacity of up to 350 guests. Parking and golf cart service are available for a fee.
Mirwas, described as the world’s largest music studio complex, will also host an open session for one night between December 7 and 10 in its private rehearsal space, with a capacity of up to 150 guests.
The evening begins with private studio tours from 7 to 8 p.m. to introduce attendees to Mirwas’ facilities and services, followed by a live performance by a band from 8 to 11 p.m., featuring a mix of Arabic and English music, with sing-along segments between the artist and the audience.
Riyadh Music Week is one of the initiatives of the Music Commission, aimed at supporting the music ecosystem in the Kingdom and promoting its development through a focus on intellectual leadership, education, innovation, and international collaboration, in line with Saudi Arabia’s efforts to empower its creative community and establish Riyadh as a leading regional center for music.
