Organised by Benchmark under the patronage of the General Entertainment Authority, Hamza Namira and Cairokee performed at the Layalina Theater in Jeddah on 11 June.

Marking their first-ever appearance in the coastal city, the concerts were part of the ongoing Jeddah Season 2022.

The musicians also performed on the Abu Bakr Salem Stage in Riyadh a day earlier, on 10 June.

The events were supported by Turki Al Sheikh, chair of the GEA, who used social media to promote the Egyptian musicians in Saudi Arabia.

According to the posts, tickets for both concerts were sold out days prior to the events, while videos from the concerts show the audience of thousands cheering the performers in both events.

Founded in 2003, Cairokee’s first big success came following the 25 January 2011 Revolution with their hit single ‘Sowt El-Horreya’ (‘The Voice of Freedom’).

They then cemented their popularity with a number of albums, including El-Sekka Shemal (An Indecent Path), Naas Wi Naas (People and People) and Nota Beida (White Drop), in addition to their latest Abna’a El-Battah El-Sawdaa (The Ugly Ducklings).

The band is among the most popular music performers in Egypt.

Hamza Namira’s unique style defies classification, fusing light rock, jazz and Latin music.

In 2007, the singer signed with Awakening Records, the British record label that launched the careers of Sami Yusuf, Mesut Kurtis and Maher Zain, among others. Hamza’s debut 2008 album, Ehlam Maaya (Dream with Me), became an instant hit, bringing much attention to the musician.

Ever since, Namira has released several highly successful albums, including Insan (A Human, 2011), Esmaani (Listen Up, 2014), Hateer Min Tany (I'll Fly Again, 2018) and Mawlood Sanat 80 (Born in the Year 80, 2020).

He also released dozens of singles and collaborated with many well-known Egyptian and Arab bands and musicians such as Eftekasat, Autostrad, and Hamid Al Shaeri.

Namira is known for his extensive philanthropic work, with one of his latest involvements being in Hekayet Tefl in collaboration with United Muslim Relief, which led to raising over EGP 90,000 to support the children of refugees of the Syrian civil war in Jordan.