XCHANGE: LEGALIZING THE SAUDI MUSIC SCENE

THIS WORKSHOP WAS HOSTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DIRIYAH BIENNALE FOUNDATION – NURTURING CREATIVE EXPRESSION AND INSTILLING AN APPRECIATION FOR CULTURE, THE ARTS, AND THEIR TRANSFORMATIVE POWER.

WE GATHERED POLICY-MAKERS, PROMOTERS, VENUE OWNERS, MUSICIANS AND ENTREPRENEURS TO HAVE A CANDID CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW TO EXPAND KSA’S MUSIC SCENE. IN THE SESSION, WE EXPLORED HOW MIGHT WE:

• MAINTAIN THE SCENE'S AUTHENTICITY WHILE EXPANDING AND BUILDING AN ECONOMY AROUND IT THAT CAN PROVIDE GOOD JOBS ESPECIALLY TO YOUTH?

• DEVELOP POLICIES TO HELP EVOLVE THE GROWING UNDERGWROUND MUSIC SCENE?

• EQUIP EMERGING EVENT ORGANIZERS WITH THE RIGHT TOOLS TO HOST SAFE EVENTS?

Setting The Scene

THE CROWD TRICKLED INTO THE SPACE – FASHIONABLY LATE – IN TRUE ARAB FASHION; UNDENIABLY STUCK IN RIYADH'S PRE-WEEKEND TRAFFIC. AS PEOPLE ARRIVED, THEY GREETED EACH OTHER WARMLY – ACQUAINTANCES AND FRIENDS FROM THE BUDDING

SAUDI MUSIC SCENE. AS THEY MUNCHED ON LIGHT BITES, THEY WERE PROMPTED TO ANSWER THE QUESTION ON THE SAUDI MUSIC SCENE – ANSWERS WERE VERY TELLING OF THE GAPS AND OPPORTUNITIES IN GROWING THIS SCENE.

IGNITE TALKS:

PRINCESS FAHDA BANDAR ABDULLAH AL SAUD CO-FOUNDER OF TRAVELING PANTHER AND TTP RETREATS

BANDAR AL TUNSI CO-FOUNDER AND PARTNER OF LYMM

MATHEW DICKS DIRECTOR OF MUSIC AND TALENT AT MDLBEAST RECORDS

THE WORKSHOP KICKED OFF WITH A MODERATED DISCUSSION FROM VARIOUS PEOPLE WITHIN THE SAUDI MUSIC SCENE; OFFERING A SPRINGBOARD FOR THE UPCOMING FACILITATED CONVERSATIONS. WITH A LACK OF NIGHTCLUBS, OR SUITABLE VENUES IN SAUDI, EVENT ORGANIZERS TURN TO PRIVATE LOCATIONS; BE IT FARMHOUSES OR ISOLATED CAMPS IN THE DESERT. DISTANCE CREATES EXCLUSIVITY, SAFETY AND UNRESTRICTED EVENT HOURS - KEY INGREDIENTS FOR AN UNDERGROUND PARTY.

15/09/2022 — RIYADH, KSA

AS IT STANDS, SAUDI'S UNDERGROUND PARTY SCENE IS A GRAY ZONE OF LEGALITY. THE RISK IS HIGH, AND YET PEOPLE FIND CREATIVE SOLUTIONS; BY HOSTING EVENTS IN PRIVATE SPACES TO MANAGE THEIR GUESTLIST. THESE BEGINNINGS ARE SIMILAR TO MANY UNDERGROUND SCENES AROUND THE WORLD.

FOR THE SCENE TO GROW – WE NEED POLICIES IN PLACES TO CONSIDER EVERYONE'S SAFETY, ENSURE ECONOMIC VIABILITY, ENCOURAGE DANCE FLOOR EDUCATION AND GOOD BEHAVIOR, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO GLOBAL RENOWN.

"OUR PROBLEM NOW IS: YOU CAN'T THROW SOMETHING LEGAL UNLESS IT'S COMMERCIAL – BUT THEY AREN'T MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE."

"HOW DO YOU BALANCE CREATING THAT SAFE SPACE WHEN PARTYING? WE WANT TO BE MORE INCLUSIVE AND INCLUDE PEOPLE TO EXPAND THE SCENE, BUT WANT TO MAINTAIN A BALANCE." BANDAR AL TUNSI, LYMM COFOUNDER & PARTNER