AZIMUTH 2025: AlUla’s Iconic Festival Begins In Spectacular Style

AZIMUTH 2025 roared into life on Thursday night as festival-goers descended on AlUla for the opening of the iconic festival’s fifth edition, powered by the support of Ray-Ban, Visa, and Nova. Together, the partners helped power an unforgettable opening day of music, art, and culture under the AlUla sky.

The buzz and excitement was palpable throughout the spectacular festival grounds even before an artist had taken to the stage. And from the moment ZEYNE set the tone on the Main Stage, the night unfolded in waves of energy and feel-good vibes, culminating in a memorable live sunrise set by the legendary CHRISTIAN LÖFFLER that carried the crowd into the glorious morning light.

Audiences were treated to an irresistible blend of international and regional talent on the Main Stage; from the soulful sounds of NEMAHSIS and the high energy sets of BKR, DISH DASH, and RDJ, to the flamengo-infused electronic style of MËSTIZA. As the party moved through the night, MAHMUT ORHAN and MIND AGAINST delivered more unforgettable sets before ASH’s epic finale.

Over at The Hive by Ray-Ban stage, Saudi DJ BRQ opened with deep house grooves and paved the way for HI-FI, AKALDIOS, and CHIATI to showcase the underground heartbeat of the region. The stage then peaked with a headline set from Saudi pioneer VINYL MODE, who kept the energy alive until sunset.

Beyond the Music

While the music took centre stage, AZIMUTH’s stunning site came alive with unexpected moments at every turn. Roaming acts popped up between sets, including dramatic fire shows, a celestial mirror character gliding through the crowd, and a Japanese speed spray-painter creating live art pieces. There were also mulit-disciplinary performers and a sway-pole spectacle that kept audiences looking skywards as much as towards the stage.

Festival-goers also immersed themselves in the spaces designed for connection and creativity. The Stargaze Welcome Centre proved the perfect entry hub, while the Moon Garden blended tea and live performance in a calm sanctuary. Elsewhere, the Mirror Realm – AZIGLAM area offered festival styling, glitter, and henna before transforming into a light-night chillout retreat.

At the heart of the site, the Eternal Flame installation glowed as a modern bonfire to draw people together in a communal moment of reflection before diving back into the music.

Enhancing the atmosphere was Ray-Ban’s presence across the venue. In addition to The Hive by Ray-Ban stage, which was lit with the company’s famous red branding, the site features a giant Wayfarer installation that doubled as a photo-worthy lounge, reflective Ray-Ban mirrors, and a dedicated retail container showcasing the brand’s iconic eyewear.

Food, Fashion, Atmosphere

Festival-goers enjoyed access to a wide variety of food and beverage options, with offerings from popular outlets such as Gravity Burger, SALT, Fish Face, Chalco’s Mexican Grill, Shawarma Habteenn, 4 Twins setts, and coffee from Out of Line and Barns. Meanwhile, Premium guests relaxed in elevated lounges with dedicated bar and shisha service.

The Retail Zone buzzed with activity as visitors snapped up limited edition AZIMUTH Volume 5 merchandise, alongside curated festival fashion and accessories from talented Saudi designers and creatives.

Looking ahead to Day 2 at AZIMUTH 2025

After a special opening night that blended global headliners with Saudi and regional talent, excitement builds towards Friday’s Day 2, with a line-up that promises another spectacular journey from sunset to sunrise.

On the Main Stage, SHKOON will set the tone from 9.30pm with their unique Germany-Syrian fusion before giving way to the internationally acclaimed indie-pop group LONDON GRAMMAR. Later, Afro-tech powerhouse SHIMZA will deliver his unmistakable South African-inspired rhythms, followed by Dutch innovators COLYN and KEVIN DE VRIES. The show will then be brought to a close by French-Egyptian superstar ASH from 5.20am.

The Hive by Ray-Ban stage will feature strong Lebanese influence, with PRÏSS opening at 9.30pm and setting the groove for the genre-bending energy of BEDOUIN BURGER. Rising DJs NIC MERHAB and TALA MORTADA then take the stage, leading to a headline set from Lebanese-Canadian star ZEINA from 3am.

Beyond the stages, Friday will again showcase AZIMUTH’s signature blend of immersive art, roaming performances, chill-out areas, and curated food and retail zones, ensuring every moment from dusk to dawn offers something new to discover.

To book your tickets and for more information, click here.

Getting to AlUla

By Air: AlUla (ULH) has its own airport with direct flights from major cities in Saudi Arabia and the region.

By Car: AlUla is a scenic drive from nearby cities. It is approximately a three-hour drive from both Medina and Tabuk, with car rentals widely available in these cities.

Getting around AlUla: Once in AlUla, visitors can utilise car hire, taxis, ride-hailing services, or the Hop-On, Hop-Off shuttle bus service to get to and from the festival and other attractions.

Details:

Thursday, 25 September and Friday 26 September 26, 2025

8:00 PM to 7:00 AM (Doors close at 5:00 AM for entry)

18+ only

Tickets:

Tickets are available through the MDLBEAST and NOFOMO websites.

Ticket categories include a 2-Day Weekend Pass for General Admission (SAR 2,000) and Premium Lounge (SAR 4,000). Ticket sales are final and non-refundable. Advanced booking is required.

For more information on AlUla, visit experiencealula.com.