In cities like Riyadh and Jeddah, a new generation of bands is emerging, it blends western alternative influences with local dialects, traditional instruments, and culturally rooted themes. This fusion is producing a diverse range of sounds that move beyond conventional popular Saudi music, reflecting the country’s evolving creative scene. While still in their beginning phases, these bands, such as Seera and Skeleton Crowd, are gaining traction both regionally and abroad, attracting listeners interested in music that bridges global styles with local identity. Here are some standout bands redefining what it means to be a musician in Saudi Arabia. Ana.n7n Founded in 2019, Ana.n7n hails from Jeddah and skillfully blends rock with Arabic music. The band consists of Malik Zubaila (vocals and synth), Saleh Binsaif (percussion and keys), Shaher Karkashan and Saif Mufti (bass), Maan Balila (drums and visuals), and Hasnain Shaikh (live sessional drummer). Their lyrics, featuring the Hejazi dialect (a dialect of Arabic spoken in the Hejaz region of western Saudi Arabia), explore societal themes and are characterized by heavy bass, intricate synth layers, and traditional Arabic percussion. They have 161 monthly listeners on Spotify, and their most popular…
