Words: Chaunielle Brown
Envision an isolated desert plain adorned with sanded pyramids and abstractly beautiful mountains, pulsating with electric soul-reviving lights and echoing beats that ignite the spirit. Welcome to AZIMUTH 2023, a musical journey nestled in the heart of AlUla, Saudi Arabia, orchestrated by the masterminds at MDLBEAST.
In its third year, AZIMUTH AlUla Music Festival transformed the desert landscape into a youthful and enchanting playground from September 21 to September 22, 2023. Strategically aligned with Saudi Arabia’s National Day celebrations on September 23, the festival boasted a lineup that resonated with a whirlwind of musical power.
General Admission tickets, starting at SAR 665.00 ($177.29 USD and 142.02 GBP) for Thursday and SAR 808.00 ($215.44 USD and $172.95 GBP) for Friday, offered access to all stages and venue highlights. The GA Weekend Pass, covering both days of AZIMUTH 2023, was available for SAR 1,190.00 ($317.29 USD and 254.71 GBP). For those seeking an elevated experience, the VIP Premium package at SAR 1,400.00 ($373.28 USD and 299.65 GBP) provided exclusive views, appetizers, and a tastefully infused beverage table, including a variety of non-alcoholic mocktails.
As the sun set and the festival transformed into an appropriately themed “UNTIL THE SUN COMES UP,” AZIMUTH 2023 delivering a captivating blend of music, art, food, and unexpected circus-like performances. The festival’s international and national lineup of 25 acts took attendees on an uncharted, musically tailored adventure.
From Daneel’s percussion to Grammy-nominated RY X’s indie-folk, and THIEVERY CORPORATION’s eclectic fusion, to the late-night beats of South Korean DJ Peggy Gou and Saudi-born DJ Nooriyah, each artist contributed to the festival’s unforgettable atmosphere.
AZIMUTH 2023 wasn’t just about main stage performances. The festival grounds featured multiple pyramid piles, captivating DJ booth stages, and regional DJs like AMRO, BLUEPAPER, JEME, DORAR, and COSMICAT. The VIP experience included exclusive views, Korean delights, and refreshing hookahs.
Rami Almoallim, Vice President of Destination Management and Marketing, Royal Commission for AlUla, emphasised AZIMUTH’s role in uniting music and culture lovers from diverse backgrounds. The festival’s gilded tapestry of musical expressions showcased AlUla’s identity and diversity.
AZIMUTH 2023 continued its sonic journey on Day 2, featuring indie-rock dance electronica from Hush & Zeyada, Tuareg band Tinariwen, and the seductive sounds of Saint LEVANT. JORJA SMITH’s soulful voice and performances by German house and techno duo AME & DIXON added to the musical tapestry.
During a brief intermission, AZIMUTH celebrated Saudi National Day, infusing the festival with national colours and fervour. The night continued with performances from Saudi national DJ NarKBeat, Jeddah-based DJ NOMAD, and globally renowned DJ ZONE+.
Pioneering Saudi DJ BALOO, MDL Beast Chief Creative, brought disco deep house to the forefront. Saudi DJ duo DISH DASH closed the festival with techno punches as the sun rose.
Rami Almoallim aptly summarized AZIMUTH 2023 as a transcendent experience in the heart of ancient AlUla, where live music and dance converged with majestic monuments and desert landscapes – in keeping with the city’s legacy as a destination where culture, art and creativity have converged for millennia.