On a recent evening at The Warehouse in Riyadh, electric guitars, thunderous drums and a crowd singing every word transformed the venue into a showcase of Saudi Arabia’s expanding rock music movement. Taking center stage was Bogus, a newly formed local band that has quickly become part of a growing alternative music scene in the Kingdom.
The performance underscored rising interest in rock and metal music across Saudi Arabia, where musicians and fans say the genre is attracting larger audiences despite remaining largely outside the mainstream.
Formed just five months ago, Bogus brings together a group of seasoned musicians who saw an opportunity to contribute to a developing scene that still lacks enough active bands.
Rock Anthems
The group’s set featured well-known rock anthems, including the Goo Goo Dolls’ “Iris,” Thirty Seconds to Mars’ “The Kill” and Bon Jovi’s “Bed of Roses.”
“We are a rock band,” said Mohammed Yasin, the group’s lead guitarist. “There are a lot of talented musicians in Saudi Arabia. We met around five months ago and decided to form the band because the scene needs more rock bands.”
Yasin said all of the members had previously performed with other groups before joining forces around a shared ambition: expanding the reach of rock music in Saudi Arabia.
“The rock scene is growing in Saudi Arabia, especially in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam,” he said. “There are established rock and metal bands that have been around for years, and now many new bands are emerging. More people are discovering this music.”
Rock Music
The band’s formation was driven in part by increasing demand from audiences.
“We saw there was a large community here,” Yasin said. “A lot of people want rock shows, but there are not enough bands. We wanted to be part of changing that.”
While Bogus currently focuses on tribute performances and cover songs, the musicians are already working on original material.
“We are developing our own songs now,” Yasin said. “We plan to release original singles soon, but for now we are performing tributes to the artists and bands we love.”
Despite the momentum, rock musicians still face obstacles in reaching broader audiences.
“Not everyone accepts rock music,” he said. “The distorted guitars, loud sound and aggressive vocals can be difficult for some people. Usually, when we perform, the audience is mostly made up of rock fans.”
A key supporter of the local scene is The Warehouse, a musician-led venue that has emerged as a focal point for live alternative music in Riyadh.
According to Jilwiy Saeed, stage manager at The Warehouse and vocalist of the Saudi metal band Maadan, the venue was established in 2021 by musician Mohammed Al-Attas to provide a dedicated space for artists to perform, collaborate and engage with audiences.
“The idea was to create a place where musicians can jam, perform and showcase their talent,” Saeed said. “At the same time, it gives audiences the opportunity to enjoy live music in an intimate environment.”
Demand for rock and metal performances has surpassed expectations, he added.
“It’s growing very heavily, surprisingly fast. Tonight’s Bogus show is the fourth consecutive sold-out event. That is amazing.”
Metal concerts at the venue regularly attract crowds of more than 150 people.
“People enjoy the music, the energy, singing along to every song and every lyric,” Saeed said. “It’s incredible to witness.”
He believes the scene’s rapid growth reflects years of unmet demand.
“There is definitely a hunger for this kind of music,” he said. “The challenge is finding balance. Sometimes there are bands but not enough venues, and sometimes venues but not enough bands. Right now, Riyadh, Jeddah and the Eastern Province are the main hubs supporting this type of music.”
Veteran Saudi musician Mamdoh Tawili, bassist for the metal band Dune, has observed the scene’s development over two decades.
Dune was originally formed in 2004 before disbanding in 2007. The band reunited in 2021 and has since become one of Saudi Arabia’s most prominent metal acts.
“There is a huge rock and metal scene here,” Tawili said. “Many bands are creating original music, and there is a large and supportive fan base among Saudis, expatriates and even listeners from outside the Kingdom.”
Interest in Saudi metal music is also attracting international attention, he noted.
“We have done multiple interviews with international websites and media outlets. There is real curiosity about what is happening here.”
Years of Chains
That interest reached a new milestone in 2024 when Dune’s EP, Years of Chains, was recognized by the international publication Metal Has No Borders, which placed the release in its Silver Tier for Thrash Metal Album of the Year.
The publication praised the EP’s intensity and highlighted Saudi Arabia’s emerging metal movement, describing it as a scene producing music worthy of global recognition.
As new bands continue to emerge, venues broaden their programming and audiences grow, Saudi Arabia’s alternative music community is steadily establishing its place within the Kingdom’s evolving cultural landscape.
What was once considered a niche interest is becoming an increasingly visible part of the country’s live music ecosystem — one sold-out rock show at a time.
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