On an exceptional night that graced the skies of the Saudi capital, the renowned artist Abadi Al-Johar and the dazzling star Omaima Taleb inaugurated the first concert of the new year 2026 as part of the Riyadh Season events. The concert, a pure musical experience, took place on the evening of January 2nd at the Mohammed Abdo Arena. Sponsored by the General Entertainment Authority and organized and supervised by Rotana Music Group, the event drew a massive audience that filled the venue, eager for authentic art.
Riyadh Season: A Global Art Destination
This concert underscores the prestigious position Riyadh Season has attained as a global entertainment and cultural destination, with its venues, particularly the Mohammed Abdo Arena, attracting leading artists and audiences from across the Arab world. These events play a pivotal role in bolstering the cultural and artistic scene in Saudi Arabia, aligning with the goals of Vision 2030, which prioritizes the entertainment sector and quality of life, thus establishing Riyadh as a capital of art and creativity in the region.
Omaima Taleb... a brilliant and remarkable presence
The artist Omaima Taleb opened the evening with her musical performance, presenting a rich selection of authentic Arabic music, including 24 songs ranging from her well-known hits to selections from her latest album, "What Time Is It?", produced by Rotana. Under the direction of Maestro Tamer Faydi, Omaima successfully created a harmonious connection with the audience, expressing her delight at their enthusiastic response and thanking His Excellency Advisor Turki Al-Sheikh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority, for his ongoing support of Arab talent and art.
The ambassador of sorrow delights lovers
In the second segment, the "Octopus of the Oud" and ambassador of melancholy, artist Abadi Al-Johar, took to the stage to perform 17 of his timeless masterpieces for his audience. As always, the oud remained close to Al-Johar's heart, as he played and sang with his unique feeling until 2:30 AM. The audience's enthusiastic response and their constant pleas for him to stay reflected the deep bond between this esteemed artist and his fans, and his firmly established position as a pillar of Saudi and Gulf music.
Behind the scenes and future projects
The behind-the-scenes events of the concert were not without good news, as Omaima Taleb revealed an upcoming artistic collaboration with Abadi Al-Johar as a composer, a significant addition to her career. She also announced that she is nearing completion of recording a new Egyptian album. For his part, Abadi Al-Johar confirmed that he is preparing a new album produced by Rotana, describing the company as his artistic home. He also took the opportunity to congratulate Al-Ahli Saudi Club on their league victory, a sporting gesture that was well-received by the audience.
The musical evening concluded with the song "They Said You See," bringing to a close one of the most beautiful nights of the Riyadh season, which combined the authenticity of the past with the modernity of the present, and cemented the concept of authentic music in the memory of the audience.
