Last weekend Riyadh hosted XP Music Futures, a three-day event where all music lovers alike came to discover, listen, learn, and have fun. The event took place from Dec.5-7 at Riyadh’s JAX District and featured a plethora of artists from all over the world, workshops, talks, and everything else music-related you can name. In an overly saturated industry, events like XP Music Futures allowed visitors to coexist in a musical space, where they can discover new artists, and new sounds that are slowly shaping the soundscape of the region. Artists from Egypt, Lebanon, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, and more, came together to showcase their artistry, and sing their musical truth, and we enjoyed every second of it.
The event’s dual structure—DAY and NITE—offered something for everyone. Days kicked off with workshops, panels, and sessions, before XP NITE took over, unleashing a diverse range of genres across JAX’s stages.
From rap, jazz, and afrobeats to indie, XP NITE delivered performances that we won’t soon forget. Egyptian rapper Marwan Moussa, Sudanese-American lyricist Bas, and Nigerian afrobeats star Joeboy lit up the stages—but some acts stood out so vividly, we’re still mentally reliving them.
First up: MaMoGi, a progressive rock-meets-jazz band that cast a spell on the audience. Their performance was transcendent, the kind that lingers long after the last note fades.
On the same stage, Luka Wel Bateekh, the Egyptian indie sensation, captivated the crowd with Luka’s enchanting vocals, the band’s effortless synergy, and a standout oud segment that hit just right. Their lyrics, full of hope and a call for freedom, resonated deeply, offering a much-needed reprieve for anyone facing oppression.
FaceSoul, the London-based Somali artist, took things to a new level. His soulful voice and immersive audio approach created an atmosphere of raw emotion and warmth. But it wasn’t just his sound—it was his message. Performing with an air of grace, FaceSoul reminded the crowd of life’s beauty, urging them to stay thankful and peaceful.
Curated by the girls at NOORstudios, one stage brought together a roster of talent that straight-up stole the show. Egyptian spitter Taffy left her mark with explosive energy; Lebanese singer Marcelina floated through with an ethereal performance; Egyptian-Canadian singer-songwriter Malayka connected deeply with her powerful vocals and relatable lyrics, especially on her track Yalahwi, a commentary on familial pressures around marriage.
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Casa Vince, an Emirati-Palestinian R&B gem, serenaded the crowd with his smooth tracks, while disc jockeys Riff, Nedz, and Big Murk kept the vibes alive with genre-spanning sets that had everyone grooving. Closing out the showcase was Asayel, the Saudi artist whose effortless swagger and smooth demeanor made her an instant favorite. Keep your eyes on her—she’s one to watch.
