Over the past decade, VJing has evolved from a side attraction to a key, specialist component of live music events, transforming concerts, festivals and club nights into immersive audiovisual experiences.  Once exclusively denizens of the underground scene, VJs now populate mainstream shows, adding real-time visuals, projection mapping, and other AI-driven wizardry for a splash of verve.

LED technology and 3D mapping have allowed for increasingly sophisticated visual storytelling and—by seamlessly synchronizing with music—dynamic performances.  Electronic music festivals like Tomorrowland and Coachella have taken VJing to the next level; hip-hop and pop artists use it on tours. It's appeared in the Arab world, including at festivals such as Soundstorm and Balad Beast in Saudi Arabia.

Though it's a major component of modern live music, VJing continues to evolve. We've rounded up five names from the region for you to check out.

Noushka Farag

Noushka cut her teeth at the Sandbox Festival.  She's since made a name for herself in VJing, bringing her flair to numerous events, like the XP Music Futures Festival, lending visual fervour to music. Some notable shows are the Mohamed Abdelwahab tribute concert in Riyadh in 2022 and the Shorelines Festival by Nacelle, featuring Thievery Corporation. 

Suad

Suad is a rising VJing star, using innovative visuals to transform concerts into immersive audiovisual experiences.   Her visuals are surprising and stylish, easily harmonizing with the music. Supported by Golden Ratio, a leading events company in Saudi Arabia, Suad has been able to develop her style and expand her influence in the art scene through her use of advanced techniques, such as visual projection and interactive design.

Nuur Taibah

Nuur Taibah headed the visuals work on XP Music Futures and cooked up the visuals for the hip-hop stage at X5. In 2024, she brought her audiovisual fireworks to MDLBEAST Soundstorm, fusing it with extra gusto.  The visual dimension she's brought to performances has made them richer and more interactive. She is a prominent VJ on the Saudi scene.

John Dave

John Dave is a visual artist specializing in visual programming, interactive design, and multimedia installations. He is a co-founder of L02S, which innovatively merges art and tech. John has brought welcome visual finesse to numerous performances, including the Grand Factory and other shows in Lebanon, giving shows a stronger punch.

Nurah Farahat

Nurah Farahat started as a multimedia designer and visual artist, specializing in VJ art. She has participated in numerous events and festivals, transforming shows into immersive audiovisual experiences.  Her work at Mapping Possibilities in Cairo has brought support to the indie art scene by giving experimental artists a platform to collaborate and showcase their work. She has also worked on developing accurate virtual reality environments at the AI Institute in Bremen.