Lionel Richie set to perform at Saudi Arabia’s Winter at Tantora festival for the first time

The festival runs from Dec. 19 to March 7, and Richie’s concert is likely to be on Feb. 28. (AFP)
Short Url
Updated 19 December 2019
Follow

Lionel Richie set to perform at Saudi Arabia’s Winter at Tantora festival for the first time

  • US pop superstar to perform in Kingdom for first time at Winter in Tantora festival in AlUla

DUBAI: US pop legend Lionel Richie is set to perform at Saudi Arabia’s Winter at Tantora cultural festival in Al-Ula.

The rebirth of AlUla
Hegra, ancient city of the Nabataeans in Saudi Arabia’s historic AlUla Valley, is emerging from the mists of time to take its rightful place as one of the wonders of the world

Enter


keywords

 

The news was announced on Winter at Tantora’s Twitter page and fans of the “All Night Long” singer were quick to catch on and share their excitement online.

 

The festival is set to run from Dec. 19-March 7, with sources telling Arab News that Richie will likely perform on Feb. 28.

 

Sources also told Arab News that music fans can expect a line-up that includes Greek composer Yanni and Italian opera star Andrea Bocelli, who will both return for the second year.

 

Rumors have been circulating that Mexican-American guitarist and songwriter Carlos Santana will also put on a rhythmic show at the festival, although there has been no official confirmation as of yet.

 

The Winter at Tantora Festival – which is held at UNESCO World Heritage Site the old town of Al-Ula – was launched in December 2018 with performances by such greats as Italian opera star Andrea Bocelli and Greek musician Yanni.

 

Yanni in particular was captivated by performing against the backdrop of Saudi Arabia’s heritage jewel. “This is the place where dreams begin, and I find it quite inspiring,” he said.

 

He gave the first complete live performance of “When Dreams Come True,” a piece composed in parts over 60 shows in 60 cities, and which he dedicated to the people of Saudi Arabia

 

Al-Ula is one of Saudi Arabia’s most important historically preserved sites for culture and heritage.

 

The festival runs for several weeks – attracting thousands of music lovers.

 

It derives its name, Tantora, from a sundial in AlUla that has been a marker for the changing of the seasons. The site is home to historic monuments spanning generations and civilizations.

 

Other international artists who appeared at last year’s event also included Lebanese vocalist Majida El-Roumi, French violinist Renaud Capuçon, and multiple award-winning Egyptian composer Omar Khairat.

 

The festival marks the Kingdom’s ongoing project to modernize, which includes the reintroduction of live music in front of non-segregated audiences.

 

The rebirth of AlUla
Hegra, ancient city of the Nabataeans in Saudi Arabia’s historic AlUla Valley, is emerging from the mists of time to take its rightful place as one of the wonders of the world

Enter


keywords

Gigi Hadid introduces sun-washed knitwear in new Guest in Residence drop

Updated 14 February 2026
Follow

Gigi Hadid introduces sun-washed knitwear in new Guest in Residence drop

DUBAI: US Dutch Palestinian model Gigi Hadid this week released the first drop of her brand Guest in Residence’s spring/summer collection.

The pictures she shared with her 79.5 million followers on Instagram showed that the new offerings lean into relaxed, sun-washed dressing, blending the brand’s signature knitwear with a more playful, resort-ready mood.

The collection features lightweight cardigans, cropped knits and long-sleeve tops paired with knit shorts, relaxed trousers and soft lounge pieces designed for warm weather.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Gigi Hadid (@gigihadid)

A palette of coastal blues, butter yellow, soft red, cream and pastel tones runs throughout, complemented by subtle stripes and textured finishes.

Across the images, knits are layered over swimwear or styled as coordinated sets, aligning with the collection’s casual, seasonal direction.

Hadid wrote on Instagram that the newly launched products are now available in stores and retailers worldwide.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Gigi Hadid (@gigihadid)

The model and entrepreneur’s latest drop was a collaboration with Moon Boot, the Italian snow boot brand. Released in November, Hadid and the brand dropped 16 designs for winter.

A week before that, she launched her winter collection that expanded Guest in Residence’s knitwear offering with cold-weather staples designed for layering.

The range included chunky scarves with fringe finishes, ribbed beanies, knitted socks, striped sweaters, zip-neck tops and relaxed knit polos, alongside straight-leg trousers and casual separates.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Gigi Hadid (@gigihadid)

A muted winter palette of red, cream, brown, forest green and blue ran throughout, with stripes and textured knits adding visual contrast.

Hadid launched her clothing label, which features soft, colorful knitwear, in September 2022.

“Over the last handful of years, I didn’t want to be backed into starting my own line just because there was an offer on the table or a deal to be made,” she wrote to her followers on Instagram at the time.

“The earliest days of Guest in Residence came about when I started to question the cashmere market, and those answers gave me a path,” she added.

“I believe that because of its sustainable qualities — natural and made to cherish and to pass down — cashmere is a luxury that should be more accessible.”

Celebrities including Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, Taylor Swift and Bradley Cooper have been spotted wearing the label’s designs.