Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — An enthusiastic audience of young Saudi musicians, artists and music lovers as well as members of the German and international community gathered in the German Embassy in Riyadh for an Open Stage Night for young Saudi musicians last Thursday.

The first act of the evening was presented by “N to the Bone”, a Rock group of young Saudis and the second by :Salman and Friends”, playing instrumental music. This was followed by “Khulood and Karim” with a number of cover songs and “Salah”, who took to the stage to delight the audience with skilled instrumental improvisation.

On a very different note, “Nawaf and Nourah” and “Le lieu Band” presented a number Arabic and English songs. The evening concluded with rock music by “Madani Band” and live improvisation by “Salih and Friends”.

Ambassador Jörg Ranau said with the Open Stage Night, the embassy sought to provide a platform for the thriving Saudi music scene. The night brought together promising talents of the Saudi music scene and music enthusiasts from all walks of life, he added.

Before the event, the German Embassy sent out a call for participation in an event where as many groups as possible should have the opportunity to present their music, hence the name Open Stage Night. Bands were assigned a time slot of 15 to 20 minutes each. This made it possible for the audience to listen to very different musical genres during one evening.