JEDDAH: A Saudi city was wired for sound as two of the world’s top DJs took to the stage for an electric show of musical entertainment.
Fans were left buzzing after Dutch mixers R3hab and Afrojack put on scintillating performances of electronic dance music as part of the Jeddah Season festival.
Musician Hatoon Idrees warmed up an enthusiastic crowd playing melodies on an oud before the main event got underway.
R3hab arrived on stage to loud cheers and screams, greeting fans with the message “peace be upon you” in Arabic.
The 33-year-old record producer and remixer, whose real name is Fadil El-Ghoul, told followers: “I am from an Arabic background myself, from Morocco, so I can speak a bit of Arabic.”
At regular intervals during his performance the star said: “Jeddah, you are truly amazing.”
His repertoire included remixes of Arabic songs, including “Sir Al-Haya” (life’s secret) and “Sadmat Omar” (shock of life), produced exclusively for the Jeddah audience, prompting the crowd to sway and sing along.
And there were also versions of songs such as “Mi Gente” by J. Balvin and Willy Williams, and “How Deep Is Your Love” by Calvin Harris and Disciples.
After an explosive two-hour performance R3hab stepped aside for fellow Dutch DJ Afrojack (real name Nick van de Wall). The 31-year-old bounced onto the stage and said: “This is my first time in Jeddah, and I am absolutely loving it.”
The crowd stood and the venue quiet literally shook to the beat of his songs such as “Don’t Let Me Down” by The Chainsmokers Ft. Daya and his original featuring Wrabel “Ten Feet Tall.”
After the concert, one fan Ahmad Shokry, 18, said: “I felt like I was in a dream. I am so hyped right now; I feel like I will not be able to sleep today. Thank you, Jeddah Season, for this.”
Another music-lover, Nagham Mohammad, 28, said: “I would have never thought I would be able to enjoy such an event here. The audience made it so much better.”
