AlUla Moments has announced its lineup of international and regional artists for September and October.

 

Performing at Maraya, the world’s largest mirrored building set among the vast desert landscapes of Ashar Valley, the line-up provides a taste of things to come as the events calendar is kicked off in style this September.  

 

Reflecting the melting pot of cultures in ancient AlUla, a land historically known for sharing knowledge, arts and ideas, AlUla Moments promises something for all music tastes.

 

World-renowned multi-award winners Westlife, the global boyband sensation, will be the first to perform at Maraya on September 28 as part of their global performances “The Wild Dreams Tour.”

 

The Irish pop sensations, who are best known for tracks such as You Raise Me Up, Swear It Again and Uptown Girl, have sold more than 55 million records worldwide. 

 

According to the organisers, the tickets are selling fast for the foursome who are performing for the first time in Saudi Arabia. 

 

Well-known classics will be interspersed with songs from their superb 18th studio album, Wild Dreams, which was released in 2021.

 

Westlife will be followed by superstar Egyptian singer Angham on October 6, the famous soprano has a back catalogue of more than 30 albums. 

 

With songs varying between Egyptian and Gulf Arabic dialects, the singer has enchanted millions of fans around the Arab world, and performed in the biggest Arabic cities in the Gulf, Levant and North Africa. Her latest album, launched in 2020, achieved huge success along with her singles released afterwards such as Hwa Nafs Elshoug, Ana Beato Kteer, Hateshtaou and Nefdal Norkos.

 

Angham received a vast number of awards throughout her artistic journey, including being honored by the United Nations on International Women's Day for singing Nissa AlDunya, which translates into Women of the World, in 2012.

 

On October 7, Lebanese Armenian Singer and musician Guy Manoukian along with Armenian Spanish Violin player and musician Ara Malikian will take the stage at Maraya for their first time in Saudi Arabia. 

 

The concert is set to showcase the beauty of music and attendees will no doubt enjoy an unforgettable and magical night of melodies.

 

Manoukian has been in the music business for 30 years, his fusion of oriental melodies with modern arrangements making him one of the most distinguished musicians around the world, performing in sold-out concerts from Sydney to Chile. 

 

Some of his most famous pieces include "On Tour" with Wyclef Jean. The multi-global awards holder worked with many international music figures: 50 Cent, French rapper Diams, Raul Di Blasio and the Gipsy Kings. He will perform for the 1st time in Saudi Arabia promising the audience a spectacular musical performance.

 

Spanish Violinist of Lebanese origin and Armenian descent Ara Malikian started his performance career at an early stage with a performance at the age of 12. Studying in Hannover and London, he then moved to Spain. 

 

Throughout his long career, Malikian achieved many grand tours and performed in the most prestigious auditoriums and theaters around the world. In 2019, his Royal Garage World Tour begins with the release of his latest album “Royal Garage”, which features collaborations with artists such as Andrés Calamaro, Enrique Bunbury and Serj Tankian. Maraya guests will feel the excitement, uniqueness and intimacy of music on this special musical night.

 

On October 14, Franco-Algerian singer and songwriter Souad Massi will perform in the kingdom also for the first time. She will bowl over the crowd with songs from her latest album Sequana, taking her musical style of folk and Chaabi to a new level crossing the borders of the Sahel, Caribbean and Brazil. 

 

The album features a variety of songs sung in French and Arabic, with causes close to her heart, such as Dessine Moi Un Pays, Mirage Joined by Piers Faccini and L’Espoir with Naïssam Jalal on flute.

 

Massi grew up listening to chaabi and Kabyle songs filled with remarkable poetry. She loved songs where the texts took precedence, and says she was fascinated by the unique lives of certain artists such as Michel Berger and Dalida. Her performance will be full of deep feelings from her search for life force, rhythm and drive.

 

Maraya concerts will take place in parallel with the first festival of AlUla Moments’ calendar, AlUla Wellness Festival. Visitors to AlUla will enjoy a diverse range of wellness and health activities, celebrations of arts and music, reflecting a joyful atmosphere that can be found only in AlUla.-TradeArabia News Service