CAPTIVATING THE KINGDOM

Diriyah Season Curates Dazzling Performances Providing A Platform For Emerging Saudi Talent

Diriyah Nights’ live performances, as part of Diriyah Season, are creating a magical atmosphere for music and culture fans alike, shining a spotlight on Saudi artists.

The daily shows form part of The Fridge’s mission to support Saudi Arabia’s thriving music scene and nurture fresh talent, as the company ramps up its presence across the Kingdom.

The Fridge’s wider KSA portfolio also includes the entertainment for the Michelin star dining experience

Awna at Hegra, a curated music programme for Ithra in Dhahran, and a series of orchestral events in Neom

As this year’s edition of Diriyah Nights, as part of Diriyah Season, enters its second month, daily live performances curated by The Fridge are continuing to mesmerise attendees from across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and beyond.

The diverse and culturally rooted programme that The Fridge has curated for Diriyah Night tells the inspiring story of Diriyah and Najd cultural connections, traditional values, and interwoven communities through a series of beautiful and immersive live performances. The event represents a platform for Saudi and regional artists, both emerging and established, challenging them to reimagine Saudi Arabia’s heritage and redefine its cultural events space.

The event, which began on 1 January and continues until 22 February, features a diverse showcase of the region’s most talented vocalists, instrumentalists, and performers, with the historic city of Diriyah providing a stunning backdrop. Ticket holders will be treated to the hypnotic rhythms of Diriyah Heartbeat; spellbinding melodies of Arabic music from the professional Nay player, the reverberating beat of the gong and crystal bowls, as well as the sounds of singers and poets, blissful compositions of harpists, and nature-inspired percussive melodies.

Shelley Frost, Founder and Director of The Fridge, commented: “It has been such a privilege to produce these bespoke gems of performances, each tailored to suit the peaceful and organic space. Working with artists underneath 200-yearold palm trees in an oasis of over 20,000 lights, and giving voice to the Najd stories from past generations that walked in this very space as children. We are working closely with the Ministry of Sport to bring their ideas to life, as we link past and present in a very unique way that is heard only in Diriyah.

Outside the walls of Diriyah, our team has worked tirelessly to create a diverse selection of breath-taking live events and unforgettable experiences for communities across Saudi Arabia, and we couldn’t be happier with the results,” Frost added. “The Fridge is fully committed to supporting the development of Saudi Arabia’s thriving events and entertainment ecosystem in line with Saudi Vision 2030, offering multiple platforms for Saudi and regional artists to showcase their work and grow their audiences.”

What makes this even more special is that these events are providing opportunities for Saudi musicians, artisans and performers to showcase their talents in front of a wider audience,” said Frost. “And this is only the beginning! The Kingdom’s entertainment sector is growing rapidly, so we cannot wait to see what the future holds for the many gifted Saudi artists.”

Developed by The Fridge’s experienced team of event organisers and curators, Diriyah Nights’ extensive programme changes on a weekly basis, providing a platform for unique and experimental acts spanning the fields of music, dance, poetry and more. From veiled performances to immersive Ardah artists, the range of acts on offer means that there is something to suit every taste. Tickets are available from SAR 138 per person.

In addition to Diriyah Nights, The Fridge is also playing a key role in delivering an array of events and experiences for communities in Riyadh, Jeddah, AlUla, Neom and Dhahran. This includes the development of an esoteric, powerful and enigmatic soundscape to accompany diners at Awna, a Michelin-star culinary experience located in Hegra, AlUla, as well as a series of orchestral performances for the city of Neom. The Fridge has also developed a curated music programme for the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), commencing this weekend, which will promote local and emerging artists, attract established stars, and further strengthen Ithra’s status as a key destination for Arab music.