Jeddah was buzzing with melodies from June 21 to 27, 2025, as the city hosted a week-long celebration of music and cultural exchange. This initiative was part of the World Music Day celebrations, organized by the French Consulate in Jeddah and Alliance Française, in collaboration with Art Jameel, Call of Culture, Music Home, Sout AlBalad, and Siddharta Lounge.

Born in France in 1982, World Music Day was originally launched by then-French Culture Minister Jack Lang, with the goal of encouraging people to embrace and share music in all its forms. That spirit of open creativity echoed across Jeddah, as the festivities kicked off on Saturday at Huna Alhabib, where music enthusiasts gathered for an artist meet-and-greet and an insightful round table organized by Sout Albalad and Call of Culture. 

Renowned Saudi artists like Qusai, Hamza Hawsawi, and Abby shared their experiences and visions for the growing Saudi music industry and its ties with global music scenes.

On Monday, the focus shifted to Music Home, where the ninth edition of GUITARRAMA unfolded. This educational event explored the art of music-making, featuring workshops and talks. French cultural figure Stéphane Amiel, founder of the festival Les Femmes s’en Mêlent, provided an insider look into France’s live music scene. French musician Alex Puechavy spoke on the nuances of music transcription, while Saudi jazz artist Aqeel Hussein shared his unique artistic journey.

The event reflected not only artistic creativity but also diplomatic and cultural collaboration. A lunch hosted by Mr. Mohammed Nehad, the French Consul General in Jeddah, brought together artists and partners to emphasize the growing creative bridge between the two nations.

On Tuesday evening, as the sun set, the program moved to Siddharta Lounge, where French DJ and producer SÔNGE presented a dynamic set blending electronic, pop, and world music. Organized by Sout Albalad, the performance offered a fresh fusion of sounds that resonated with the crowd throughout the night.

Moving on to Hayy Jameel, where creativity flourished with an open jam session on Wednesday, where local talents jammed alongside French artist Karimouche, creating spontaneous and soulful musical moments.

Thursday brought one of the most anticipated performances — a collaborative concert by Karimouche and Saudi artist Roaa Lam, merging rap, spoken word, and oriental influences.

 They were joined on stage by beatboxer Kosh and multi-instrumentalist James Sindatry, along with guest appearances from Slow Moe and Ladis Cello, delivering a genre-defying performance filled with passion.

The week wrapped up at Fennec, where Slow Moe led an open mic for rising Saudi rap talents, spotlighting the next wave of musical voices. From thought-provoking discussions to unforgettable performances, this week of French-Saudi exchange was more than a festival — it was a testament to how music transcends borders, uniting communities through creativity and rhythm.

The Jeddah program built on the momentum of two lively nights that set the tone: Riyadh on June 20, with a lineup blending Saudi and French sounds, and Khobar on June 21, which featured an open mic, an intimate concert by Karimouche, and a DJ set where French electronic music seamlessly fused with local rhythms.